IN EXIGENCY FOR SELFLESS SERVICE: GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL NURSES IN CONTEXT

In today’s healthcare landscape, nurses across many countries face the challenges of being underappreciated, underpaid, and underestimated. Despite these adversities, some nurses remain steadfast in their commitment to the profession. This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of government hospital nurses who navigate the demands of selfless service. Twelve nurses from a public regional hospital in Tagum City, each with at least two years of experience and assigned to general wards where the nurse-to-patient ratio exceeds 1:15, were purposively selected for a focus group discussion. Employing Colaizzi’s method of data analysis, three central themes emerged: "Going the Extra Mile," "Bending but Never Breaking," and "Thrive, Not Just Survive." These themes encapsulate the reality of government hospital nurses who persist in providing compassionate care, exhibiting resilience despite the professional challenges they face. The study highlights the physical, emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of delivering care in a resource-limited government hospital setting. The findings underscore the role of altruism, reinforced by resilience and influenced by extrinsic motivators, in shaping the service and work attitude of these nurses. These insights hold significant implications for nursing practice and policy.