Staff experiences and the Covid-19 emergency in nursing homes [Il vissuto degli operatori e l'emergenza Covid-19 nelle Residenze Sanitarie Assistenziali]

This article studies the experience of nursing home staff in Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic. The authors analysed the results of a focus group involving the operators of four RSA. This research uncovers the presence of opposing forces that have shaped organizational change: a) the need for constant teamwork vs the unavailability of some colleagues during the most acute phases of the emergency; b) the difficulty of reorganising work vs the coordination between nursing homes; c) the psychological fatigue vs the willingness to go beyond one's duties, d) the negative emotions (e.g. anxiety, fear, anger and helplessness) vs the positive emotions (willingness to carry out different shifts and teamwork).