Nurses' Adaptations in Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Grounded Theory Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Infectious Diseases
• Psychological Stress

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant fatigue and mental stress among frontline nurses.
• Nurses require effective coping mechanisms and support systems to manage the demands of caring for infectious disease patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the adaptation process of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.
• To develop a substantive theory on nurses' experiences and reactions.
• To provide data for developing supportive intervention programs for nurses.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory approach using face-to-face in-depth interviews.
• 23 nurses with over six months of COVID-19 patient care experience were interviewed.
• Data analysis followed the Strauss and Corbin method, identifying 13 core categories.

Main Results:

• The core category identified was 'growing as a proficient nurse alongside comrades on the COVID-19 frontline'.
• The study elucidated nurses' adaptation processes and reactions to caring for COVID-19 patients.
• Key themes included professional growth, peer support, and the development of specialized skills.

Conclusions:

• Systematic coping with infectious diseases requires ongoing basic and specialized education for nurses.
• Developing robust support systems for work and childrearing is crucial for nurse well-being.
• Intervention programs should be informed by the identified adaptation processes and support needs of frontline nurses.