Nursing Experiences in Critical Units during the First Wave of COVID-19 in Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing professionals, during the COVID-19 pandemic and in critical units, had to face challenging and adverse care scenarios, with high risk of contagion, but with vocation of service by providing timely and safe care.

Objective: To analyze the care experiences of nursing professionals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A qualitative and phenomenological study was conducted in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, in the period 2020-2021. The unit of analysis was 9 nursing professionals in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sampling was homogenous. Semistructured interviews were used to produce the information. The content analysis of the data was carried out according to Braun and Clarke, which gave rise to thematic categorical matrices that emerge from the narratives.

Results: The experiences of the professionals are represented by thematic categories such as preparation and training, nursing care from their role, relationships with the health team and sick people, first COVID-19 experiences, recognition and professional growth.

Conclusions: The experiences of the nursing professionals in pandemic went through complex moments, faced challenges, risk of contagion and infection by coronavirus, increased workload and stress; they lived personal, family and professional adaptive processes by ensuring safe and quality care with dedication and professionalism, which contributed to satisfaction, recognition and professional growth.