Exami̇ni̇ng the experi̇ences of nurses WHO care for pati̇ents di̇agnosed wi̇th COVID-19 and HOW they are affected bi̇o-psychosoci̇ally

This research was planned to examine the experiences of nurses who care for individuals diagnosed with covid-19 and how they are affected bio-psychosocially. The research is a descriptive and qualitative type of research. The universe of the study consists of 30 nurses working in the intensive care unit and the covid service providing care to patients diagnosed with covid-19 in a private hospital in Ankara. The sample of the study consisted of 15 nurses who were selected by purposive sampling method in line with data saturation and accepted the interview. In data collection, after the participants filled out the Socio-Demographic Information Form, the individual interviews using the Semi-Structured Form were recorded with a voice recorder. The interviews were conducted by the researchers. The interviews were continued until the replies started to be repeated and new information and concepts did not come, and were completed with 15 nurses. The interviews lasted an average of 40 minutes. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data and expert opinion was taken. As a result of the data analysis, the experiences of the nurses who care for the patients diagnosed with covid-19 and how they are affected in terms of bio-psychosocial aspects, difficulties and empowerment, 6 sub-themes and 15 categories were determined under these themes. The identified themes are challenges and empowerment. The nurses interviewed within the scope of the research stated that they had many difficulties and felt positive and negative emotions in the care of patients diagnosed with covid-19, they had problems with the personal protective equipment they used, they could not meet their physical needs, and they experienced skin problems due to the use of PPE. Nurses stated that caring for covid-19 patients caused deterioration in their family relations, and they were exposed to exclusion by the society, their colleagues in the institution, and family members. Finally, they stated that providing care to patients diagnosed with covid-19 caused deterioration in their relations with their social environment. The nurses participating in our research stated that despite all these difficulties, providing care to the patient diagnosed with covid-19 and being involved in the pandemic process increased their job satisfaction. They stated that they felt important, valuable and proud. They stated that working during the pandemic period created awareness on many issues.