Nursing under pressure: identity, challenges and coping during pandemic a qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of nurses. The increased workload, heightened risk of infection, and experiences of social isolation have significantly affected their physical and psychological well-being. Despite these challenges, nurses have continued to perform their duties with unwavering dedication, playing a pivotal role in the fight against the pandemic. This study aims to explore how nurses’ coping strategies and occupational experiences were shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. A phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research methods, was employed in this study. The research was conducted with eight nurses who actively provided care to COVID-19 patients and voluntarily agreed to participate. The participants were aged between 26 and 43 years; all were female, and two were single. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a semi-structured interview form, and analyzed through phenomenological analysis. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Professional Identity and Changes in the Work Environment (2), Embodied Consequences (3), Moral Distress and Existential Dilemmas, and (4) Resilience in Adversity. The findings indicate that the pandemic increased nurses’ workload, negatively impacted their physical and psychological health, and led to challenges such as social isolation. Nurses relied on peer support, psychological assistance, and personal coping strategies to navigate these difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound and multidimensional impact on nurses’ professional and social lives. To safeguard the physical, psychological, and social well-being of nurses during crises such as pandemics, it is crucial to promote effective coping strategies, ensure access to ergonomic equipment, and strengthen professional support mechanisms. This study contributes to understanding nurses’ experiences during the pandemic and to enhancing preparedness for future crises.