Experience of Nurses Working in Emergency Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Experience of Nurses Working in Emergency Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study was conducted to explore the experiences of nurses working in emergency centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants comprised nine nurses employed at emergency centers in hospitals located in Seoul and the metropolitan area during the COVID-19 epidemic. Individual interviews were conducted by applying semi-structured questions to the participants, and the data collected from February to July 2023 were analyzed using the content analysis method. As a result of the study, a total of 281 statements were selected, and four areas, ten categories, and 14 major statements were extracted. The four areas identified are work change and increase, stress and psychological burden, safety and protection, and communication. The findings of this study will contribute to understanding the experiences of nurses and nursing phenomena within emergency centers during infectious disease epidemics. Moreover, the results will serve as fundamental data for the development of curricula and content within the healthcare system and related academic disciplines, as well as for improving working conditions.