ABSTRACT
As the impacts of COVID-19 on nursing facilities became apparent, the members of the US based National Nursing Home Social Work Network (NNHSWN) immediately considered what it could offer as a useful response to assist nursing home social workers working in facilities. During some initial organizing calls that included a social work director at a nursing home in a hard-hit area, it became clear that COVID-19 presented many challenges for social services staff in nursing homes. Like other nursing home workers, many feared contracting COVID-19 and bringing it home to their families. Social workers also faced ethical dilemmas, existential crises, stress, and fears. They were thrust into having difficult conversations about advance directives with the family members of very ill patients over the phone. The NNHSWN disseminated information about the updated website and the support sessions through a nursing home social work listserv hosted through the University of Iowa, and through state and local connections.
