Mental and Physical Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nurses: A Rapid Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented demands on healthcare systems worldwide, with nurses experiencing disproportionate exposure to occupational, psychological, and physical stressors. Due to continuous patient contact, extended working hours, and heightened clinical risk, nurses have been particularly vulnerable to adverse health outcomes. This rapid systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the mental and physical health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional nurses.

Methods: A rapid systematic review was conducted following the Cochrane rapid review methodology and PRISMA reporting standards. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed primary studies published between January 2021 and December 2025. Eligibility criteria were defined using the PICo framework, focusing on professional nurses, mental and physical health outcomes, and the COVID-19 clinical context. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological appraisal were conducted by independent reviewers.

Results: Eleven primary studies met the inclusion criteria, predominantly using cross-sectional designs and encompassing diverse clinical settings and geographic regions. The evidence revealed high prevalence rates of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress symptoms among nurses, particularly those working in frontline and high-exposure units. Physical health outcomes were also significantly compromised, with frequent reports of fatigue, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal pain, somatization, and reduced health-related quality of life. Several risk and protective factors were identified, including age, career stage, workload, availability of personal protective equipment, social support, psychological capital, and physical activity.

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and interconnected impact on both the mental and physical health of nurses. These effects may persist beyond the acute phases of the pandemic, underscoring the need for integrated occupational health strategies that address psychological, physical, and organizational determinants of well-being. Longitudinal and intervention-based research is essential to inform evidence-based policies aimed at strengthening nurse resilience and healthcare system preparedness for future public health crises.