Nursing perspectives about the critical gaps in public health emergency response during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Introduction

The purpose of this qualitative study was to synthesize frontline U.S. nursing perspectives about the current state of U.S. public health emergency preparedness and response. The study findings may inform public health policy change and improve future national pandemic planning and responses.

Design

We conducted a secondary thematic qualitative analysis using grounded theory methodology.

Methods

Data collection occurred through semi-structured, in-depth focus groups between July and December 2020, from 43 frontline nurses working in hospitals in four states (Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, and New York). Data were analyzed deductively, aligned with Khan et al.’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Framework and inductively for emergent themes.

Results

Three themes emerged: (1)...