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Nursing during the COVID‐19 outbreak: A phenomenological study
Author(s) -
Arcadi Paola,
Simonetti Valentina,
Ambrosca Rossella,
Cicolini Giancarlo,
Simeone Silvio,
Pucciarelli Gianluca,
Alvaro Rosaria,
Vellone Ercole,
Durante Angela
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13249
Subject(s) - nursing , compassion fatigue , meaning (existential) , psychology , quality (philosophy) , perception , health care , covid-19 , medicine , compassion , clinical psychology , burnout , philosophy , disease , epistemology , pathology , neuroscience , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , economics , psychotherapist , economic growth
Aim The aim of this study was to explore the experience of Italian nurses engaged in caring for patients with COVID‐19. Background COVID‐19 found the health care world unprepared to face an emergency of such magnitude. Italy was one of the most affected European countries, with more than 250,000 cases. Understanding the impact of events of this magnitude on nurses provides a framework of knowledge on which educational training could be based to face similar situations in the future to prevent further breakdown. Methods The hermeneutic approach by Cohen was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted using a voice‐over Internet protocol. Interviews were transcribed, read in depth and analysed. Results Twenty nurses were interviewed. Four themes were extracted: uncertainty and fear, alteration of perceptions of time and space, change in the meaning of ‘to care’ and changes in roles and relationships. Conclusions Psychological support in association with emergency training prevents stress and helps tackle compassion fatigue. Implications for nursing management Policies to improve nursing science should be developed to ensure better quality of care, a higher number of professionals and, consequently, an increase in the safety of patients.