Mazibu Donald, Downing Charlene, Rasesemola Richard
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg.
Curationis. 2025 May 7;48(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2735.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has severely impacted nursing services, with thousands of ICU nurses infected with potentially fatal respiratory infections. Saudi Arabian studies suggest psychological implications, with loneliness and social isolation linked to higher depression and anxiety levels. Pandemic preparedness should focus on workforce protection and mental well-being promotion.
This study aimed to understand the experiences of critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia who contracted COVID-19, with the goal of formulating recommendations to empower them, increase resilience, and help the profession thrive post-pandemic.
This study used an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach, conducting unstructured interviews with 11 Critical Care Unit (CCU) Registered Nurse (RN) who contracted COVID-19, and analysing the data using Colaizzi's seven-step method.
Three themes emerged from the data: (1) physical isolation led to loneliness and psychological separation, lacking emotional support and freedom of choice; (2) reintegration into the work environment increased stress and loneliness and (3) Coronavirus disease 2019 exposure provided essential insight into patient care and increased awareness of adaptive skills. These themes highlight the challenges participants faced during the pandemic.
This research study indicated the experiences of ICU nurses who contracted COVID-19, revealing feelings of loneliness, depression and stress. Despite reintegration into their work environment, these feelings persist.Contribution: The study indicates that nurses in social isolation or quarantine also require open communication, social interaction, personal autonomy and emotional support to boost their resilience and mental health, and to increase their job satisfaction.
2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）对护理服务产生了严重影响，数千名重症监护室护士感染了可能致命的呼吸道感染。沙特阿拉伯的研究表明其具有心理影响，孤独和社会隔离与更高的抑郁和焦虑水平相关。大流行防范应侧重于劳动力保护和促进心理健康。
本研究旨在了解沙特阿拉伯感染COVID-19的重症监护护士的经历，目标是制定建议，增强他们的能力，提高恢复力，并帮助该行业在大流行后蓬勃发展。
本研究采用探索性、描述性和情境性方法，对11名感染COVID-19的重症监护病房（CCU）注册护士（RN）进行非结构化访谈，并使用科莱齐的七步法分析数据。
数据中出现了三个主题：（1）身体隔离导致孤独和心理分离，缺乏情感支持和选择自由；（2）重新融入工作环境增加了压力和孤独感；（3）接触2019年冠状病毒病为患者护理提供了重要见解，并提高了对适应技能的认识。这些主题突出了参与者在大流行期间面临的挑战。
本研究表明了感染COVID-19的重症监护护士的经历，揭示了孤独、抑郁和压力感。尽管重新融入了工作环境，但这些感觉仍然存在。贡献：该研究表明，处于社会隔离或检疫状态的护士也需要开放的沟通、社交互动、个人自主权和情感支持，以增强他们的恢复力和心理健康，并提高他们的工作满意度。
