‘Holding the line for patients’—Emergency nurses' experiences during a prolonged physician shortage crisis: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: A nationwide healthcare crisis, characterized by a strained emergency care system and a significant shortage of physicians, has created substantial shifts in the clinical environment and directly affected emergency nurses who serve on the front lines of patient care. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore emergency nurses' experiences during a prolonged healthcare crisis. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected from November 2024 to February 2025. Individual interviews were conducted using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Nurses with at least one year of experience in the emergency department were recruited. Fifteen nurses participated, and the interviews were analysed using conventional content analysis. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (i) Chaos phase: Disruption of emergency department operations (ii) Transitional phase: Nurses' dedicated efforts to fill gaps from physicians' absence, and (iii) Adaptation phase: Stepping into more advanced emergency nursing. CONCLUSION: Emergency nurses play a pivotal role in safeguarding patients' health through close collaboration with physicians and active participation in clinical decision-making. Even during crises, they maintain core nursing responsibilities while providing compassionate care and delivering patient- and family-centered care as a key aspect of their practice. As nursing roles expand, enhancing nurses' competencies requires policy support, including the development of a practical education system and the institutionalization of standardized competency assessments.