Life experiences of nursing staffs caring for high-risk COVID-19 patients

Insufficient information is available regarding the subjective experiences, including the challenges, needs, and coping measures of nursing staffs caring for high-risk COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to address that lack of information regarding nursing staffs’ experiences by generating a descriptive framework for their experiences. This was a qualitative study using the grounded theory method was conducted to establish a descriptive theory. Semi-structured interview guidelines were followed in conducting one-on-one in-depth interviews with nursing staff members. The study recruitment was conducted in the northern region of Taiwan. The constant comparative method was used for analysis. There were 28 interviewees. Returning patients to good health was the core theme in this study. During the process, facing care challenges was identified as the antecedent condition for subcategories including the threat of unknown disease, becoming a COVID-19 spreader, social discrimination, caring for patients in scattered wards, heavy workloads, and meeting isolated patients’ needs. The results also revealed seven primary categories of activities involved in patient care that develop a resilience theory of the ability to recover from COVID-19 adversity or trauma. Specifically, this study revealed how nursing staffs can enhance their adaptability in caring for high-risk COVID-19 patients through support systems and by developing coping strategies. By understanding the experiences of nursing staffs, measures to aid high-risk COVID-19 patients in returning to good health can be better formulated, such as constructing comprehensive care models and providing centralized care.