Experiences of Nurses Not Infected with COVID-19 Working during the Confinement

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses have lived through diverse experiences working on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic; many acquired the infection and some died, but there are few studies with nurses who did not become infected with the virus.

Objective: To describe the experiences of nurses not infected with COVID-19 who worked in hospital units during confinement.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative research was carried out. The population consisted of 60 nurses who worked, during confinement, in COVID-19 hospital units in Lambayeque, Peru. The sample of 15 nurses was determined by the data saturation and redundancy technique. The information was collected by semistructured interview through digital media, with prior informed consent, from February to April 2021. The information was then processed with thematic content analysis.

Results: Three categories were obtained: a) fear of contagion, helplessness in the face of death and spirituality in the care for the COVID-19 patient, b) usage, adaptation and difficulties in implementing preventive protocols during the working day, and c) selfcare and preventive measures at home after the working day.

Conclusions: During the confinement, nurses experienced much fear of contagion and suffering in the face of excessive deaths, as well as the lack of equipment and materials. In addition, they did not likely become infected with COVID-19 because they applied personal protective equipment protocols and preventive measures at home, chose to eat healthy food, and were physically active.