Date of Conferral

12-12-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Matthew Howren

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore lived experiences, perceptions, and associated meanings reported by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine what protected their well-being. A plethora of research focused on the negative impact of exhaustion, compassion fatigue, moral distress, and burnout; however, there was a gap in information regarding supports for emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health, particularly among U.S. nurses. The foundational theory of psychological capital (PsyCap), focusing on the positive psychological traits of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism, grounded this investigation. A basic qualitative research design yielded rich data from semistructured interviews with 16 nurses working full time in Arizona, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Washington hospitals. Data were transcribed, member-checked by participants to establish trustworthiness, then coded and iteratively analyzed to form common themes and patterns. All participants began by expressing the negative impact on their well-being, validating previous studies conducted globally after the pandemic. Understanding emerged from the 18 shared themes, including the negative impact of misinformation, lack of understanding of the disease process, fear, staffing shortages, and the impact of unprecedented death rates. Mutual protective factors included teamwork, supportive relationships, compassion, professional duty, connection to purpose, recognition of limits, cognitive choices, realization of agency, and prioritization of self-care. Positive social change can be achieved by integrating PsyCap skills into the nursing profession to promote protection and growth.

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