ABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: This qualitative review summarises and synthesises the available evidence on subjective experiences of clinical nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19. BACKGROUND: Nurses are first responders and play a vital role in emerging infectious disease epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, they also face many difficulties and challenges related, for example to the imbalance between extensive demands and low control over work tasks. DESIGN AND METHOD: A systematic review of qualitative studies and meta-synthesis focused on the experiences of clinical nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 279 findings were extracted, aggregated into 21 categories and combined into seven synthesised findings, namely (1) professional nursing practice during the pandemic, (2) support systems, (3) somatic sensations and psychological experiences, (4) difficulties and challenges, (5) coping strategies and behaviour, (6) impact on life, profession and values, and (7) needs and expectations for the future. CONCLUSION: Nurses encountered considerable difficulties and challenges in caring for patients with COVID-19. Nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 need more support from organisations, families and society. It is essential to explore positive coping strategies suitable for working in different cultural backgrounds. Policymakers and decision-makers should pay attention to the experiences and voices of nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is critical for nurse managers to consider how to enhance the support system and help nurses develop adaptive coping strategies in response to COVID-19. Nurses' experiences and voices are valuable in improving health emergency response systems. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public contribution.