JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

　The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nursing education globally, particularly clinical practicums, reducing opportunities for hands-on learning. Newly graduated nurses have reported increased stress, reduced confidence, and a higher risk of burnout. However, few studies have examined the long-term mental health effects of these disruptions.

Objective:

　This study aimed to longitudinally examine how changes in clinical practicum during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of nurses who graduated in the 2021–22 academic year.

Methods:

　A quantitative longitudinal study was conducted at three points: June, September, and December 2022. Demographic data, perceived impact of domain-specific and integration practicums, practicum formats, and clinical difficulty were assessed. Instruments used included the Nursing Job Stressor Scale (NJSS), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and items adapted from Tsuchie et al. to measure intention to leave. Participants were categorized into high- and low-impact groups, and two-way ANOVA was used to examine mental health indicators over time.

Results:

　Participants who perceived a greater impact from practicum disruptions reported significantly higher levels of clinical difficulty and stressors. In the December survey, “Emotional exhaustion, a core component of burnout, was significantly higher in the high-impact group. “Additionally, in September, those perceiving less impact from the integration practicum reported a stronger intention to continue nursing.

Conclusions:

　The results suggest that the perceived quality and extent of clinical practicum experiences significantly influence the psychological burden and career intentions of newly graduated nurses. Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting effects on nurse mental health. These findings underscore the need for continuous workplace support and targeted mental health interventions for early-career nurses to ensure safe, sustainable nursing practice.