Preface

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a significant mark, reshaping industries, communities, and changing the lives of individuals around the world. Nurses on the frontlines of this unprecedented crisis, were evidently among the most profoundly affected profession of healthcare. As the pandemic unfolded, the role of family nurses was significantly altered. The nursing care provided to individuals, families, and communities changed in ways none could have predicted. This e–book is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and strength of family nurses worldwide. To explain how the pandemic shifted their practice in family nursing, these nurses were asked to discuss the challenges, changes in their daily practices, and what they learned from these experiences. Flyers were designed in three languages: English, Spanish, and Japanese (shown in the appendices) and were distributed to nurses around the world who practiced family nursing during the pandemic. The narratives were collected as written testimonies in nurses’ native languages or through interviews. Nurses were also asked to provide a photo of themselves at work and were encouraged to complete the interview in their native language. In total we gathered and curated 20 powerful stories from nurses who have lived through and navigated the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the narratives were organized and translations were completed, we began formatting and creating this e-book to share their stories. We hope that through these stories, you will gain a deeper understanding of the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family nursing and the invaluable work of nurses who, every day, make a difference in the lives of families around the world. As you read these accounts, know that each story reflects the tireless dedication of nurses everywhere, and are a reminder of the power of the nursing profession, even in the most challenging of times. This initiative was made possible through a collaborative effort with the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) Practice Committee and was generously supported by a grant from IFNA’s Global Initiatives Funding and the Minnesota State University. Special thanks to the members of the IFNA Practice Committee: Debbie Sheppard LeMoine, Maria do Céu Barbieri, Diana Arabiat, Donna Marvicsin, Junko Honda, Li Chi Chiang, Lucila Castanheira Nascimento, Mandy Towell-Barnard, Laurence Di Benedetto, Marilyn Swan, Petra Brysiewicz, Teresa Gutierrez, Virginia Jones, and Yuuko Mabrey Johnson.