A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of COVID-19 Ward Nurses in Shiraz, Iran

Background: The psychosocial risks and job stress have been considered as the most important factors affecting the occupational health and safety and, therefore, exerting significant impact on the health conditions of individuals, organizations, and national economy.Objectives: The present study investigated the experiences of the nurses working in COVID-19 wards of specialty hospitals in Shiraz, Iran.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out via telephone. A total of 15 participants (11 nurses and 4 active supervisors of COVID-19 wards) were included in the study. A conventional content analysis was applied.Results: COVID-19 ward nurses had a perception of differentiation because they had experienced difficult conditions and had higher social responsibilities. However, they managed to retain their social responsibilities despite suffering from anxiety and fear, physical and mental pressures, as well as various deficiencies. Four themes including fear and anxiety, burnout, deficiencies, and expectations were explored in this study.Conclusions: Overall, COVID-19 pandemic was found to have posed several challenges for nurses as the front-line staff in Iran. Therefore, it was recommended that necessary measures and strategies should be adopted in order to address these challenges.