Nurses' willingness to work with COVID-19 patients: The role of knowledge and attitude

Nurs Open. 2021 Mar;8(2):695-701. doi: 10.1002/nop2.674. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the role of nurses' knowledge and attitude in relation to their willingness to work with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Qatar.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: A self-administered, 35-item online survey was circulated to the Registered Nurses working in Hamad Medical Corporation, the principal healthcare provider in Qatar.

Results: A total of 580 attempts to complete the survey. Of them, 377 completed surveys with a response rate of 65%. Logistic regression was used to predict nurses' willingness to work with patients with COVID-19. Nurses' knowledge level and monetary compensation that is associated with the work-environment risk category were found to have a significant positive relationship with the nurses' willingness to care for patients with COVID-19 (p < .05). The findings of this study may help nursing leaders design educational programmes and remuneration models that may help boost nurses' willingness to work with high-risk patient groups, especially during a pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-COV-2; attitude; nurses; willingness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Primary Health Care
  • Qatar
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Workplace / psychology