IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF NURSING PROFESSIONALS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

COVID-19 is a serious respiratory disease caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads extremely quickly, with flu-like symptoms, leading to the recommendation of measures such as social isolation and distancing. The objective of this study was to describe the mental health implications of nursing professionals during the period of isolation caused by SARS-COV-2. An integrative literature review was carried out using the Virtual Health Library and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, from which scientific productions that addressed the object of the study were selected based on pre-established requirements. The results demonstrated that the pandemic impacts the mental health of everyone, including nursing professionals who faced several additional challenges, such as long working hours, constant risk of contagion and emotional pressure, highlighting the need to address the mental health implications of nursing during the pandemic. In addition to the overload, the lack of institutional support and devaluation have increased the rates of professionals with depression, anxiety and insomnia, also causing a great impact on physical health, emphasizing symptoms of dissatisfaction, constant errors in daily activities and self-medication, affecting the quality of care and representing significant challenges to the health and well-being of nursing professionals. Thus, we can conclude that the lack of support and precariousness in health is common and increases dissatisfaction resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. As a consequence, there is burnout among professionals that can lead to various illnesses.