Understanding Nursing Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Narrative and Art

A Feminist Exploration in Educational Research

Authors

  • Carol Flegg PhD (c)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29745

Keywords:

arts-based research, narrative inquiry, feminism, education, nursing resilience

Abstract

The resilience and retention of nurses is a complex and urgently compelling phenomenon in the global context, made even more critical given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the stories of nursing resilience told from the perspective of four public health nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing narrative inquiry and arts-based research underpinned by the feminist theoretical framework. The stories of nursing resilience were shared in group discussions, one-on-one conversations, and artistic collages with artist statements; these articulated the nurses’ thoughts and feelings about resilience while working during the pandemic. Elucidated are the impacts of the institutional power structure in nursing, thoughts on using artistic expression, and images of a black cloud to express nursing resilience. Further research is implicated on the use of art in nursing education, the power structure in health care, and nurses feeling valued by the healthcare institution.

 

 

Author Biography

Carol Flegg, PhD (c)

Dr. Carol Flegg is a nursing and adult education professor and artist who recently completed her PhD at Mount Saint Vincent University. She enjoys qualitative and art-based research and uses an arts-based pedagogy in nursing education to promote student understanding and empathy. Dr. Flegg worked as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Published

2024-09-04

How to Cite

Flegg, C. (2024). Understanding Nursing Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Narrative and Art: A Feminist Exploration in Educational Research . Art/Research/International:/A/Transdisciplinary/Journal, 9(1), 290–312. https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29745