Exploration of Turkish ICU Nurses' care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

This phenomenological study aims to describe the care experiences of Turkish ICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 ICU nurses. This study was conducted in public hospitals, which were the main centers of the pandemic in Türkiye. Data were analyzed by descriptive, comparative and relational analysis methods.

A total of 851 primitive codes were identified. Four themes, 12 categories, 47 codes, and 13 sub-codes were determined: (a) Categories of the theme "Holistic Care Approach": barriers, communication, and spiritual care. (b) Categories of the theme "Process Management": precautions, challenges, adaptation, and treatment processes. (c) Categories of the theme "Physical-Psychological Effects": physical effects and psychological effects. (d) Categories of the theme "Ethical Dilemma": ethical behaviors, unethical behaviors, and working principles. In the relational analysis, participants expressed their opinions on challenges, as well as on precautions, workload, duration of care, and health deterioration.

Participants reported both positive and negative care experiences. Negative experiences can adversely impact patient safety, whereas positive experiences serve as a source of hope and motivation, encouraging nurses to continue providing holistic care.