Hospital nurses' experiences of and perspectives on the impact COVID-19 had on their professional and everyday life—A qualitative interview study

Abstract

Aim: To explore how hospital nurses experienced their work situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this affected the conduct of their professional and their everyday life. Methods: Interviews using critical psychology. A total of 24 nurses participated, representing departments of both medicine and surgical specialties. All nurses worked either in the department where they are usually stationed or were recruited from other departments to the COVID-19 department. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) COVID-19 had importance to nurses' sense of self as a nurse; (2) a new solidarity developed; (3) professional reflections—caring for patients; (4) the importance of recognition and humiliation and (5) COVID-19 had consequences for the nurses' conduct of everyday life. Conclusion: The findings showed that some nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 experienced a new solidarity with their colleagues. Other nurses found it to have a negative impact on their conduct of their professional life.