"Getting caught unprepared": A phenomenological study of Indonesian nurses dealing with difficulties when caring for...

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought pressure and challenges to nurses worldwide. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of nurses in overcoming challenges when delivering care for patients with COVID-19 in Indonesia. The study employed a phenomenological research design. The researchers purposely selected nine nurses who provided care for patients with COVID-19 at an urban public hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between September and December 2020. The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with participants. The interview data transcriptions were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. The experiences of nurses in providing care for patients with COVID-19 can be summarized into three themes: (1) getting caught unprepared, (2) understanding and adapting to a new working situation, and (3) finding new meaning in the nursing profession. This study suggested that nurses overcame difficulties in caring for patients with COVID-19 by using multidimensional and culturally informed coping strategies. Hospital managers and policymakers need to consider culturally relevant coping strategies (i.e., religious-based coping strategies) when supporting healthcare providers during public health emergencies.