EXPERIENCES OF TURKISH NURSES WITH COVID-19 INFECTION IN PANDEMIC AND POST-PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

In the most difficult times of epidemics, the importance of the role of nurses is greater than ever. In our study we aimed to determine the experiences of Turkish nurses with COVID-19 infection about the process ın pandemıc and post-pandemıc. The study was conducted in a qualitative research format with a semi-structured interview form including nurses who had COVID-19 infection and then returned to work. The post-pandemic interview was held approximately 2 years after the first interview. The first interview sample consisted of 21 nurses who recovered from COVID-19 infection and The data were collected between September and December 2020. In the second interview, 11 nurses were reached in January 2023. The first interview themes obtained at the end of the interview were (1) fear and anxiety, (2) worthlessness, (3) questioning and regret, and (4) power. The second interview themes obtained at the end of the interview were (1) health perception, (2) profession perception. The pandemic and post pandemic is a process that challenges nurses mentally and physically. Nurses have taken important roles in the pandemic period since the first stage. In order for nurses to fulfill their duties from now on, the difficulties experienced by the nurse staff should be aware of and arrangements should be made regarding the working area. Nurses and other health practitioners need support in challenging situations. Policies should be developed to support healthcare professionals who are fighting at the forefront in crisis situations such as pandemics.