Female Nurses’ Experience of Psychological Changes when Caring COVID-19 Patients in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Ira Kusumawaty; Suzanna Suzanna; Yunike Yunike; Marlinda Marlinda; Arif Setyo Upoyo

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.8654

Authors

Ira Kusumawaty Department of Nursing, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Palembang, Indonesia
Suzanna Suzanna Department of Psychiatric Nursing, IkesT Muhammadiyah Palembang, Palembang, Indonesia
Yunike Yunike Department of Nursing, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Palembang, Indonesia
Marlinda Marlinda Department of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Pringsewu, Lampung, Indonesia
Arif Setyo Upoyo Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2204-5141

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8654

Keywords:

COVID-19, Nurses, Psychological changes, Caring

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nurses as health workers at the frontline have major challenges in dealing with COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic can cause the risk of psychological changes in nurses in maintaining the quality of public health services.

AIM: This study aims to explore nurses’ experiences through their psychological changes when giving treatment to COVID-19 patients.

DESIGN AND METHOD: This qualitative research employed a phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling was applied to determine the participants with criteria of female nurses caring COVID-19 patients and working in hospitals until achieved data saturation. The data were collected by interviewing participants through phone and video calls. In-depth interview recordings were presented in transcriptions, and the contents were analyzed into codes, categories, and themes.

RESULTS: Eight nurses participated in this study. This research resulted three themes: Self-surrender during early nursing care for COVID-19 patients, acceptance of the feelings and achievements as COVID-19 nurses, and self-empowerment supported by the environment.

CONCLUSIONS: The psychological changes during the nursing care start from self-surrender in the early period of COVID-19 patient care, self-acceptance for any feelings and achievements as COVID-19 nurses, to the forms of self-empowerment and environmental support.

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