The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has developed comprehensive online guidance to support nursing staff living with Long Covid, particularly focusing on facilitating a successful return to work. A summary of some of the information in the guidance is provided below but there is much much more on the site itself.
Long Covid presents with a wide range of symptoms that can fluctuate over time. Commonly reported symptoms include:
Fatigue
Breathing difficulties
Cognitive impairments (“brain fog”)
Muscle and joint pain
Mental health challenges
These symptoms can be episodic, making the return to work process non-linear and requiring individualized approaches.
A gradual, adaptive return-to-work plan is essential. Strategies include:
Implementing the “3 Ps”: Plan, Prioritize, and Pace to manage fatigue.
Adjusting work hours and responsibilities to accommodate energy levels.
Providing options for remote work or less physically demanding roles.
Ensuring access to occupational health services for tailored support.
Effective communication between staff and managers is crucial. Recommendations include:
Regular check-ins to discuss progress and challenges.
Collaborative development of return-to-work plans.
Flexibility in scheduling meetings to align with the staff member’s energy levels.
The RCN offers a peer support group for members dealing with Long Covid, providing a platform to share experiences and coping strategies.
Nursing staff are entitled to support under employment laws, including:
Sick leave provisions.
Potential eligibility for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if Long Covid is recognized as an occupational disease.
RCN stewards have successfully assisted members in returning to work by:
Advocating for reduced hours and reasonable adjustments to manage fatigue.
Facilitating role changes to accommodate physical limitations.
Ensuring that treatment plans and lived experiences are acknowledged in return-to-work strategies.
For more detailed information and resources, visit the RCN’s Long Covid advice page by clicking here.
More than 1 in 10 of 1,496 US healthcare personnel reported the same moderate or severe symptom at both three and six months after COVID-19. Read the findings, limitations and what they may mean for SHH-UK readers.
Join SHH-UK’s online support groups for healthcare workers with Long Covid this October and November. Connect, chat and share with others.
A large US study of almost 2,000 children and adolescents found that those meeting the research threshold for probable Long COVID were more likely to experience difficulties with grades, attention and participation with friends.
