The Experiences of Nurses Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Turkey: A Qualitative Study

Özlük, Bilgen; Bikmaz, Zülfiye

Frontline healthcare professionals during the pandemic were exposed to the risk of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of nurses who were diagnosed with COVID-19. This qualitative, descriptive study was conducted between July 20th and the September 29th , 2020. A total of 17 nurses were included using purposeful and snowball sampling methods and interviewed. Video interviews were conducted through WhatsApp using a semi-structured in-depth interview form. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The experiences of nurses at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis were categorized into three main themes: (a) personal experiences, (b) thoughts on the reasons for getting infected, and (c) social experiences. In conclusion, we shed light on the experiences of frontline nurses during pandemic who were exposed to COVID-19. Individual, organizational, and social regulations and actions are needed for the management of the pandemic.