Experiences of nurses diagnosed with COVID‐19 in Turkey: A qualitative study

Aims This study examined the experiences of nurses diagnosed with COVID‐19 under the guidance of Meleis’ Transitions Theory. Background Nurses, who make up the majority of healthcare professionals, are struggling with COVID‐19, a silent war, on the front lines at the cost of their lives. The pandemic has deeply affected nurses’ lives, and hundreds of nurses around the world have been diagnosed with COVID‐19 and died. Methods A descriptive qualitative approach was used in this study. Data were collected from 18 nurses who experienced COVID‐19 symptoms, with a semistructured interview form prepared based on Meleis’ Transitions Theory concepts. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis technique. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used in the study. Results The six themes that emerged in the data analysis were emotions experienced when nurses tested positive for COVID‐19, emotions experienced during the quarantine process, posttraumatic growth, methods of coping with COVID‐19, nursing care after COVID‐19 treatment, and metaphors about COVID‐19. Conclusion This study showed that being diagnosed with COVID‐19 caused nurses to have both positive (posttraumatic growth, empathic and psychosocial nursing care) and negative experiences (fear of death, stigma, etc.). They tried to cope with adverse situations due to COVID‐19 by obtaining social support, thinking positively, and engaging in domestic activities. Implications for nursing and health policy To reduce COVID‐19‐related physical and psychological symptoms, appropriate policies should be developed for effective and rapid nursing workforce planning, extending the time allocated for postdiagnosis treatment, updating infection control and prevention guides, training nurses, and providing ongoing psychosocial counseling services that nurses can access.