Measures to protect nurses during the outbreak
Their long working hours and close contact with patients significantly increase the risk to nurses of becoming infected. Working closely with nursing society, the government and healthcare system in Taiwan have enacted a variety of measures specifically aimed to protect nurses and help enhance their resilience.

Appropriate PPE and training
In addition to providing adequate PPEs, hospitals ensure that every nurse understands how to properly use the equipment. Also, remote temperature detectors have been introduced and centralized health care has been implemented to reduce the frequency and duration that nurses are required to be physically presented in negative‐pressure isolation rooms.

Professional and legal protections
In response to the pandemic, the government has temporarily suspended all hospital review and accreditation procedures as well as licensure renewal for nurses. To protect nurses’ rights, hospitals are required to provide additional insurance coverage for nurses working in negative‐pressure isolation wards. Furthermore, nurses are receiving special‐hazard subsidies equal to those received by medical doctors during this crisis (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan 2020a, 2020b).

Health and safety assurance
In line with restrictive patient‐visitation policies in place during this pandemic, nurses help family members communicate with patients via the telephone, mobile phone and tablet computers. To reduce anxiety about possibly infecting their family members, nurses may stay in outside accommodations that are arranged and paid for by the institution. To help address their anxiety, panic or concerns, nurses may access free hospital‐based counselling and care. Nurses, who are deemed at higher risk of contracting COVID‐19, are pregnant or vulnerable and are eligible for reassignment to non‐COVID‐19‐related responsibilities. Furthermore, a clinical practicum SOP for nursing students was established to ensure safety for both students and patients.

Physical and psychological resilience
To strengthen resilience, nurses who have taken care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID‐19 may take additional 3‐day and 14‐day leaves, respectively. Hospitals maintain caring‐support mechanisms to promote the physical and mental health of nurses.