The Lived Experiences of Frontline Nurses Who Contracted COVID-19: Does Gender Matter?

IF 2.5 4区医学 Q2 NURSING

International Journal of Nursing Practice Pub Date : 2026-03-11 DOI:10.1111/ijn.70130

Ruqayya Zeilani, Maysoon S. Abdalrahim, Ahmad Alqunneh, Elham H. Othman

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aim

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and responses of nurses who contracted COVID-19 infection at work, with a comparison of gender-based experiences.

Method

A qualitative–descriptive approach was employed, with purposive sampling of participants from four hospitals in Jordan with specialised COVID-19 units.

Findings

Seventeen registered nurses were interviewed after full recovery from the disease and returning to work. The analysis revealed disparities in the experience of nurses by gender, with three themes: (a) struggling with mixed emotions, (b) becoming vulnerable and demanding and (c) COVID-19 positively affecting practice. The participants described their struggle with mixed feelings, such as fear and guilt, after the confirmation of being infected with COVID-19. Female nurses more often linked these emotions to family caregiving roles, whilst male nurses more frequently framed their distress around professional identity and responsibility. Furthermore, gendered changes were related in their personalities after being infected with COVID-19, as they became vulnerable and asked people to care for them. Lastly, nurses returning to work after recovering from COVID-19 reported greater compassion and empathy reflected in their patient care.

Conclusion

Policymakers should recognise changes that may affect nurses due to illness and provide adequate psychological counselling and physical support to help them overcome these challenging experiences.

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感染COVID-19的一线护士的生活经历：性别重要吗？

目的：本研究旨在探讨护士在工作中感染COVID-19的生活经历和反应，并对基于性别的经历进行比较。方法：采用定性描述方法，对约旦四家设有COVID-19专科科室的医院的参与者进行有目的抽样。结果：17名注册护士在疾病完全康复并返回工作岗位后接受了访谈。分析揭示了按性别划分的护士体验差异，其中有三个主题：(a)在复杂情绪中挣扎；(b)变得脆弱和苛刻；(c) COVID-19对实践产生积极影响。参与者描述了他们在确认感染COVID-19后的复杂情绪，如恐惧和内疚。女护士更多地将这些情绪与家庭护理角色联系起来，而男护士更多地将他们的痛苦与职业身份和责任联系起来。此外，在感染新冠病毒后，他们的性格也发生了性别变化，因为他们变得脆弱，并要求人们照顾他们。最后，从COVID-19康复后重返工作岗位的护士报告说，他们在病人护理中反映出更大的同情心和同理心。结论：决策者应该认识到疾病可能影响护士的变化，并提供足够的心理咨询和身体支持，帮助他们克服这些具有挑战性的经历。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Nursing Practice NURSING-

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： International Journal of Nursing Practice is a fully refereed journal that publishes original scholarly work that advances the international understanding and development of nursing, both as a profession and as an academic discipline. The Journal focuses on research papers and professional discussion papers that have a sound scientific, theoretical or philosophical base. Preference is given to high-quality papers written in a way that renders them accessible to a wide audience without compromising quality. The primary criteria for acceptance are excellence, relevance and clarity. All articles are peer-reviewed by at least two researchers expert in the field of the submitted paper.