# Korean Hospital Nurses’ Experiences with COVID-19: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Findings

## TL;DR

This study summarizes the experiences of Korean hospital nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting their resilience and the challenges they faced.

## Contribution

The study provides a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings on Korean nurses' experiences during the pandemic, offering insights for future preparedness.

## Key findings

- Nurses overcame challenges through professional commitment and collaboration with colleagues.
- Six major themes and thirteen subthemes were identified from 13 studies involving 219 nurses.
- A multifaceted support system is needed to enhance nurses' resilience in future outbreaks.

## Abstract

This study aims to provide a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies examining the perceptions and experiences of nurses who cared for patients in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in South Korea. We searched key health databases (RISS, KISS, KMbase, NDSL, KoreaMed, DBpia, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane) from September to November 2023. We reviewed and analyzed articles using a thematic synthesis approach. The quality of the studies was ascertained using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist for qualitative research. Ultimately, 13 studies involving 219 nurses were included in the final review. Six major themes and thirteen subthemes emerged. During the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were able to overcome difficult situations through their interactions with patients, sense of a professional mission, and commitment to nursing. Most importantly, they persevered through their collaboration and closeness with fellow nurses, despite confusion about their professional identity, the ethical dilemmas they faced in patient care, and the conflicting attitudes of their social support system. To prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks, a multifaceted support system should be established to enable nurses to have positive interactions with their families, colleagues, and patients, which have become central to their resilience.