Nurses’ Feelings and Difficulties during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case Study of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine what nurses have gone through emotionally, what difficulties they have faced during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and what suggestions they proposed so that they could overcome those difficulties. Methods: The data were obtained from 1039 nurses between April 3 and 9, 2020, via an online survey. The data were obtained using the data collection form. It was then assessed through number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test. Results: A great majority (38.7%) of the nurses had difficulty in finding personal protective equipment. Those who worked in university hospitals and shifts also reported having difficulty in accessing personal protective equipment (P < .001). The most common feelings and difficulties the subjects expressed about the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic were as follows: “I am afraid of infecting my family” and “I am angry at people who do not take the pandemic seriously/do not stay at home.” The most common solution suggestions that the nurses (n = 601) put forward about the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic were as follows: “increasing the number of nurses,” “regulating the working hours,” “increasing the training of the workers,” and “properly distributing personal protective equipment.” Conclusion: The majority of the participants seemingly had difficulty accessing personal protective equipment. Most of them were afraid of being infected with coronavirus disease and then infecting their families. They also felt sad because they could not see their families. Most of the participants suggested seeing more nurses hired and the working hours regulated. © 2020. Archives of Health Science and Research. All rights reserved.