Caregiving experiences of nurses working in a newly established intensive care unit during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has adversely affected intensive care nurses; for instance, they have fought against an unknown disease, and their workload has increased. In addition, the COVID‐19 pandemic has led intensive care nurses to work in new settings and with new teams. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the caregiving experiences of nurses who were working in a new COVID‐19 intensive care unit in Turkey and providing care for patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. Method: In this descriptive qualitative study, semi‐structured interviews were held from 22 July to 31 August 2020 and were recorded and analysed based on thematic analysis. The researchers followed the COREQ checklist in reporting the study. Findings: From interviews held with 11 nurses, four main themes (uncertainty and challenges in the 'danger zone', emotional and psychosocial changes, professional effects of the pandemic and being ready for a future pandemic) were derived from 11 sub‐themes. Conclusions: The new setting and the ever‐changing team make caring for the COVID‐19 patient even more difficult. A good organization, an experienced permanent team, a known setting and good working conditions are essential to be prepared for possible pandemics in the future. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Pandemics are emergencies that can lead the health system to collapse.Patient care quality is associated with nurses' knowledge and experience.The COVID‐19 pandemic has led intensive care nurses to work in new settings and with new teams. What this paper adds? Nurses described challenges such as the fear, stress and stigma they experienced in the ICU during the first wave of the pandemic, which negatively affected patient care.The new setting and the ever‐changing team make caring for the COVID‐19 patient even more difficult. The implications of this paper: A good organization and an experienced permanent team should be established in order to ensure patient safety and high‐quality care in ICU settings for COVID‐19 patients.Working conditions of nurses should be improved without changing their setting during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]