The experiences of nurses infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A qualitative study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jing He, Wuhan University; Lili Liu, Wuhan University; Xiaoli Chen, Wuhan University; Baiwen Qi, Wuhan University; Yanqun Liu, Wuhan University; Yingying Zhang, Wuhan University; Jinbing Bai, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-03-24
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13256
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 1180
• End Page: 1188
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was approved by the research review committee at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (No. 2020043).
• Keywords: Business & Economics; Nursing; SARS-CoV-2 infection; Science & Technology; COVID-19; nurse' qualitative interview; hermeneutics; s experience; Management; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Social Sciences
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Nursing

Abstract

Aim: To understand about the experiences and feelings of the nurses infected with COVID-19 when caring for patients with COVID-19. Background: With the sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nurses take care of patients with COVID-19 and have a very high risk of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) themselves. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative design of hermeneutic phenomenology. A purposeful sampling was used, and all data were collected through in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: The interview data generated 4 topics and 14 secondary topics. Four major themes were identified from this study, including ‘experiences of infection’, ‘health belief’, ‘social support’ and ‘the pursuit of self-worth’. Conclusions: Nurses infected by COVID-19 experienced a physical and psychological shock. They had a strong sense of responsibility and willingness to take risks. Providing professional psychological counselling and physical rehabilitation services are crucial. Implications for Nursing Management: This manuscript provides nursing managers an understanding of the personal experiences and needs of clinical nurses in their work, especially during COVID-19. It is helpful for nursing managers to explore the greater driving force of nurses and prepare nursing human resources for greater challenges.