Perceptions and experiences of nurses about their performance in the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Objective: to describe the perception and experiences of nurses about their performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: qualitative study with phenomenological approach. Fifteen nurses participated in the study, selected according to an intentional snowball type sample. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and the transcribed information was submitted to thematic-categorycontent analysis. Results: from the analysis of the participants' discourse, the following categories and subcategories emerged lived experiences (negative states;work organization;team cohesion;challenges and norms and guidelines);adopted strategies (individual;team support;familiar and informative) and future expectations (return to normality;adaptation;personal and professional growth;nursing uncertainty and valorization). Conclusion: from the perceptions and experiences of the nurses of their performance in the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative emotional states, strategies adopted of individual character and future expectations of return to normality are highlighted.