Being a nurse in Turkey's disaster: A phenomenological study on post-earthquake experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the experiences of nurses who work in cities affected by earthquakes and provide care for earthquake survivors. The study is qualitative research with a phenomenological design. The study was conducted with 30 nurses, aged between 22 and 56 years old, who worked in public hospitals and provided care to earthquake victims in the areas affected by the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş. The obtained qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis method. The participating nurses in the study defined the nursing profession after the earthquake as selflessness, obligation, tiredness, and satisfaction. Additionally, the nurses reported experiencing some managerial and personal difficulties in the delivery of care services during the acute phase after the earthquake. The findings of this study can serve as a guide for developing current nursing care strategies during disasters and rapidly resolving issues that may arise in post-disaster nursing care. It is recommended to enhance existing Hospital Disaster Plans, provide in-service training to nurses, and make plans to rapidly increase personnel to cope with the expected increase in post-disaster care burden.