Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the perceptions and experiences of emergency nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The research was conducted with content analysis based on a qualitative approach. The study was conducted in the emergency department of a training and research hospital in western Turkey between July and December 2021. Forty-nine nurses who were determined by the criterion sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling method, were interviewed. Nurses working in the emergency department, caring for patients with COVID-19, and volunteering to participate in the study were included in the study group. The data were collected using an information form consisting of 8 questions containing the socio-demographic characteristics of the nurses, and a data collection form consisting of 10 semi-structured open-ended questions was created in line with the literature. NVIVO 12 Pro program was used in the analysis of the data. The data were evaluated by thematic analysis. Results: Five categories were reached in this research based on qualitative question analysis conducted with nurses who worked as emergency nurses in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The category labels and citation numbers from the most cited to the least are as follows: negative affect reflection (f:275), difficult working conditions (f:273), fatigue in the struggle (f:205), the promise of the profession (f:112), and head efforts (f:103). Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was determined that emergency nurses were affected negatively physically and psychologically during the COVID-19 process, experienced various personal and professional problems, and used effective methods to cope with all these negativities. In order to improve and maintain the physical and mental health of nurses, their support needs should be closely monitored and support systems should be established.

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