Exploring the Care Experiences Among Clinical Staffing During Emerging Infectious Disease: From the COVID-19 Pandemic Approach

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), one of the most significant recent emerging infectious diseases, has evolved into a global pandemic, resulting in an unprecedented public health crisis with substantial morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the care experiences of nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A qualitative, exploratory interview study. This study was conducted from August 2022 to January 2023. Participants were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan. A purposive sampling approach was employed to select the participants, and in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 30 individuals. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

The findings of this study revealed five themes that summarized the care experiences of participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced nursing competence in pandemic mitigation, adherence to clear safety measures, effective adaptation to the stress of the “unknown,” and recognition of the meaning of the pandemic mitigation experience.

Conclusion

This study informs pandemic readiness for nurses and policy enhancement. Medical institutions and governments must prioritize policies ensuring staffing, PPE access, and mental health support. Educators and administrators should elevate on-the-job crisis management training. Future planning should cater to Taiwanese nurses' needs during unforeseen crises such as COVID-19.