Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Nurse-Patient Relationship: A Narrative Study of Newly Graduated Nurses

Background: The nurse-patient relationship is fundamental to compassionate care, yet it encountered unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such as personal protective equipment and strict isolation protocols risked depersonalising care at a time when patients were most vulnerable. This study aimed to understand and compare how newly graduated nurses developed and sustained relationships with patients and families, examining experiences from before and during the pandemic. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. Initially, 79 clinical narratives from two cohorts of newly graduated nurses (pre-pandemic, n = 39; pandemic, n = 40) were analysed using thematic analysis to identify core relational themes. Subsequently, the frequency of these themes was quantified and compared between the two groups to assess the impact of the pandemic context. Results: Thematic analysis identified five core relational themes: beginnings, emotions, death/end-of-life, accompanying patients/families, and family presence. These themes were consistently prevalent and richly explored across both cohorts. Notably, despite the overwhelming context of the pandemic, references to COVID-19 itself were largely absent. Nurses consistently emphasised the universal human aspects of care rather than the specifics of the disease, demonstrating a strong commitment to relational values despite situational pressures. Conclusions: The core values of nursing appear remarkably resilient. Even novice nurses, when faced with a global health crisis, continued to prioritise the human connection central to their practice. These findings highlight the need for nursing education and healthcare institutions to move beyond crisis management and actively foster this inherent relational competence. Strengthening reflective practice, structured mentorship, and emotional support systems is recommended to empower nurses to sustain compassionate, person-centred care in any context.