The Lived Experiences of Nurses Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Issue 3 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robinson, Ruthie; Stinson, Cynthia Kellam
• Is Part Of: Dimensions of critical care nursing. Volume 40:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; 610.736
• DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000481
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-4625

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Previous research on nurses during pandemics has focused on nurses working in one facility or type of unit; this study focuses on nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in a variety of units in different sites across the United States. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of registered nurses working with hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: This study used a hermeneutic phenomenology design. Semistructured interviews via telephone were conducted and then transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi's method of analysis was used. Data saturation was achieved with 14 participants. Results: Three major themes were evident. They were "the human connection, " "the nursing burden, " and "coping." Subthemes were identified under each major theme. Discussion: This study depicted nurses who are caring, empathetic, and resilient. They had many recommendations for fellow nurses, the public, and health care organizations.