Living Experiences of Nurses with COVID-19 and Isolated in the Family Environment

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the entire population, including the health personnel, such as nurses. Nurses, by living through the disease, acquired valuable experiences that allowed them to redefine their existence as beings in the world.

Objective: To understand the experiences of nurses with COVID-19 and isolated in the family environment.

Methods: A qualitative-phenomenological study was conducted from the existentialist perspective of Heidegger. Thirteen nurses working in hospitals in Lima, Peru, participated during the months from October 2020 to June 2021. The sample was obtained by "theoretical saturation." In-depth interviews were conducted virtually, using guiding questions; and the testimonies were recorded and transcribed with prior authorization. For data processing, they were subjected to Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.

Results: After transcription, coding and phenomenological reduction of the discourses, two categories were obtained: 1. "Taking care of" and "Being with" in related to the isolation experience in the family environment, with the subcategories of reaction to the diagnosis and family contagion; and 2. "Being there" and distress when experiencing the disease by COVID-19, with the subcategories of life lessons and meaning of the pandemic.

Conclusions: Nurses with COVID-19 and isolated at home experienced lessons that made them revalue life, health and family love, which has strengthened their commitment to providing humanized care; personal strength and hope stand out as elements that allow them to face fear, despair and fear of death. The more any subject knows themselves, the greater their caring attitude, so that caring represents a nurse’s essential way of being.