LIVED EXPERIENCE OF NURSES’ INTERN IN CARING FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS IN CRITICAL CARE UNITS AT SELECTED HOSPITAL IN EGYPT
LIVED EXPERIENCE OF NURSES’ INTERN IN CARING FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS IN CRITICAL CARE UNITS AT SELECTED HOSPITAL IN EGYPT
Fatma Abdelaziz Mohammed - Lecturer of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt
Mohammed Ali Pessa - Lecturer of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt
ABSTRACT
The nursing workforce is at the frontline fighting against COVID-19 and is faced with various challenges throughout the provision of care especially in intensive care units. Aim: was to explore the lived experience of nurses’ interns in caring for COVID-19 patients. Setting: critical care units at selected Cairo university hospital. Research design: Qualitative phenomenological design was used for the current study. Sample: A purposeful sample was utilized in the current study; the saturation point was reached after 17 participants. Tools: Three tools were utilized for data collection: sociodemographic sheet, semi-structured interview questionnaire, and Audiotape recording. Results: Findings of the current study identified five main themes that expressed lived experiences of nurses’ intern in caring for COVID-19 patients:(I) Participation in care; (II) Feeling of fear; (III) Isolation challenges; (IV) Dissatisfaction; (V) Positive experiences. Conclusions: Nurses’ interns who are working in critical care units are on the frontline fighting COVID-19 without adequate training or preparation. However, involving nurses’ interns with the healthcare team in caring for COVID-19 patients could be an opportunity and challenge particularly in times of pandemics. Recommendations: Establishing a comprehensive training course for nurses’ interns before assigning them to care for covid 19 patients, providing adequate role clarification for those interns in caring for covid 19 patients. Furthermore, we must ensure that nurses respond effectively to the pandemic and that all medical supplies are available especially the Personal Protective Equipment, and provide them considerable incentives.
