Nurses' Experiences and Ethical Dilemmas in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

Authors : Gülcan Eyüboğlu, Arnel Böke Kılıçlı, Zehra Göçmen Baykara, Firuze Çevık Aydın

Pages : 225-238

View : 75 | Download : 91

Publication Date : 2024-08-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aimed to explore the nurses\' experiences and ethical dilemmas during the early stages of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease) pandemic in Türkiye. Nineteen nurses from seven different provinces in Türkiye were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. We conducted qualitative research with an interpretative phenomenological design, collecting data through semi-structured, in-depth videoconference interviews from June to September 2020. Three themes emerged concerning experiences: \"a range of emotions,\" \"factors affecting nursing services,\" and \"a change in the perspective of nurses.\" Three themes also emerged regarding ethical dilemmas: \"Is the priority to benefit or not harm?\", \"Is the priority not to harm or justice?\", and \"Is the priority to benefit, not harm, or respect autonomy?\" During this period, nurses experienced intense negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and sadness. Solidarity, team collaboration, and management support facilitated nursing care. As reported by nurses, challenges in nursing care were attributed to the use of personal protective equipment, limited resources, and physical inadequacies. Nurses frequently faced ethical dilemmas involving the prioritization of benefiting patients, avoiding harm, upholding justice, and respecting patient autonomy while caring for individuals infected with COVID-19.
Keywords : COVID 19, Deneyim, Etik İkilem, Hemşirelik, Türkiye

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