COVID-19 FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NURSES: BEING A NURSE DURING THE PANDEMIC

OpenAlex İngilizce

The aim of this study was to determine the emotions, thoughts and experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. A qualitative research design was used in this descriptive type study. The sample of this study consisted of 16 nurses working in the COVID-19 clinics of a university hospital. Data were collected with face-to-face interview method by using “Semi-Structured Interview Form” and were analyzed with content analysis method. The experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients were analyzed under two themes: “being a nurse in the COVID-19 clinic” and “being a nurse in social life”. The theme of the ‘being a nurse in the COVID-19 clinic’ was divided into subthemes; fear, uncertainties, all responsibilities on the nurses, increase in workload, use of personal protective equipment, soldiers on the battlefield and satisfaction. The theme of ‘being a nurse in social life’ was divided into subthemes; stigma, fear to infect someone, fear, separation-loneliness and professional appearance. Nurses caring for COVID-19 patients have been adversely affected in bio-physiological, psychological and social aspects both during their professional responsibilities and in their social lives due to the difficulties they experienced during the pandemic process.