일 상급종합병원의 COVID-19 전담 병동 헬퍼 간호사 경험

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of helper nurses deployed in COVID-19 dedicated wards, seeking a deeper understanding of the significance inherent in their experiences. Methods: Sixteen nurses with over one month of experience working as helper nurses in dedicated COVID-19 wards were selected as participants. Individual interviews were conducted between July and August 2023 using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the methods described by Elo and Kyngäs (2007). Results: The analysis revealed two categories comprising six themes derived from helper nurses’ experiences. These categories include “Confronting Professional Challenges” and “Growing as a More Professional Nurse”. Conclusion: Further studies are necessary to explore helper nurses’ experiences of infectious disease disaster situations. Nurses experience role conflicts, knowledge gaps, and burnout. Therefore, developing protocols for tasks and education is essential in highly uncertain situations and when new responsibilities arise. Establishing systematic support systems for stress reduction and enhancing social support among nurses is crucial. Therefore, additional research is required to understand the growth and impact of helper nurses.