Qualitative study on psychological experience of front-line nurses combating new coronavirus pneumonia

Abstract

Objective To explore the psychological experience of front-line nurses combating the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) epidemic and provide suggestions and evidence for clinical interventions. Methods From January 25th to 27th, 2020, a semi-structured interview was conducted using phenomenological research methods on 10 front-line nurses combating NCP from a Class III Grade A hospital, and Giorgi phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The psychological experience of clinical front-line nurses in this study could boil down to three themes: negative psychological experience (fear, worry, and fatigue), insufficient ability to cope with public health emergencies (insufficient awareness of disease, and insufficient emergency rescue nursing skills), and rational understanding of the fight against the epidemic (a sense of mission and confidence). Conclusions Clinical front-line nurses have different levels of negative psychological experience and lack the ability to respond to public health emergencies. Hospitals should strengthen psychological assistance and humane care for clinical front-line nurses, promote training for emergency disaster rescue nursing, improve hospital emergency management capabilities, and ensure efficient rescue work. Key words: Nurses; Pneumonia; Novel coronavirus pneumonia; Psychological experience; Qualitative study