Major disaster, profound impact: A qualitative examination of emergency department nurses’ experiences during the 2023 Turkey Maraş earthquake

Abstract

Introduction

This study aims to reveal the experiences of emergency department nurses who were deployed to the region during the Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Emergency nurses play a critical role in disaster management due to their ability to perform rapid and effective triage in crisis situations, which can be life-saving.

Method

The study conducted interviews with 20 emergency department nurses using a snowball sampling and criterion sampling approach. The interview questions were developed based on a thorough review of the existing literature and the conceptual framework, and were refined through expert consultations. Feedback from experts was used to evaluate the scope and content of the questions, which were then used to guide the interviews with a semi-structured format. Each interview lasted approximately 20–45 min. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Of the 20 nurses participating in the study, 11 were male and 9 were female, with ages ranging from 25 to 45. Two main themes were identified from the data: “Seismic Wounds” and “Navigating in the Rubble.” Under the theme “Seismic Wounds,” the physical and environmental challenges faced by nurses in the region, particularly material shortages and coordination deficiencies, were highlighted. The theme “Navigating in the Rubble” addressed the nurses’ experiences in team formation, emergency triage, and providing psychological support.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and experiences encountered by emergency department nurses during the Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The physical and environmental challenges, material shortages, and coordination deficiencies experienced by the nurses represented significant obstacles in disaster management. Additionally, the experiences related to team formation, emergency triage, and psychological support underscore the critical importance of nurses’ ability to effectively intervene during crises.