The Challenges of Nurse Redeployment and Opportunities for Leadership during COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: Literature has previously shown that redeployment has been widely implemented to build capacity, but little focused on nurses. This study aims to manage redeployment more effectively by capturing and scrutinizing nurses’ redeployment experiences. Methods: A cross-sectional short and structured interviews were conducted. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarkes Six Step Thematic Analysis approach. Results: 55 interviews were conducted, predominantly from women (85%, N=47), over the age of 45 years (45%, N=25) in the role of Specialist Nurse or Staff Nurse (78%, N=43). Five critical themes emerged, willingness to work in redeployed role, poor communication, stress and anxiety, feelings of being unsupported and abandoned, and positive experiences despite challenging circumstances. Conclusions: Nurses in redeployed roles were susceptible to stress and anxiety and were seeking dedicated leadership as they worked during a pandemic with the additional challenge of unfamiliar workspaces and colleagues. Nurses play a major role in the resilience of healthcare service, which cannot be achieved without a comprehensive resilience strategy. Healthcare organisations are required to develop strategies and policies and enforcement measures to ensure that staff are well empowered and protected not just during potential redeployment but also in their daily operations.