Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses During Covid-19 Pandemic: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study

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Erkoç A., Turan N., Üren S.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH, vol.4, no.1, pp.77-87, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 4 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Directory of Open Access Journals, Index Copernicus, Root Indexing, Asos İndeks, Other Indexes
  • Page Numbers: pp.77-87
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of intensive care nurses who cared for patients with suspected or

confirmed COVID-19.

Material and Methods: The research was carried out with nurses. Data collection included in-depth interviews conducted between

June-August 2020. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using the Interpretative Phenomenological

Analysis

Results: Three main themes emerged: (a) nurses' compliance with the process; (b) factors affecting motivation; and (c) emotional

responses observed in patients. While challenging situations, increase in workload, and situations that cause anxiety were the factors

that negatively affected nurses' motivation to work, awareness/empathic behavior and flexible working hours were the factors that

positively affected the motivation to work.

Conclusion: Intensive care nurses make great efforts to prevent transmission from patients with COVID-19. It is thought that nurses

should be supported in terms of the factors that negatively affect their motivation to work. It is considered that nurses'

awareness/empathic behaviors affected their perceptions of the patients' fear of death and feeling of helplessness.

Keywords: COVID-19, experience, nurse, phenomenological