Torn Between Identities: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Nurses’ Dual Allegiance During COVID-19 and Armed Conflict

TL;DR

This study explores the emotional and moral struggles of nurses during the pandemic and wartime as they balance their professional duties with personal obligations.

Contribution

The study introduces a hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of nurses' dual allegiance during crises, revealing new insights into their ethical and emotional experiences.

Findings

Nurses experienced profound moral and emotional struggles due to competing responsibilities.

Four key themes emerged: moral stressors, ethical double-binds, crisis wisdom, and stress responses.

Peer support and open dialogue are critical for addressing nurses' complex moral challenges.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: While nurses showed a willingness to work during the pandemic and wartime, little is understood about how they managed the conflict between their roles as caregivers and personal or family obligations. They are deemed “essential workers,” risking their safety to fulfill their duties. Objectives: This study aims to explore the lived experience of nurses during COVID-19 and wartime, delving deeper into their emotional and moral experiences, providing insights for nurses and nursing management about how nurses negotiate dilemmas. Methods: A focused interpretive, hermeneutic, phenomenological approach was employed. From December 2022 to January 2023, ten hospital-based nurses from two hospitals were purposively sampled for in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed. The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee (31102022). Results: The essence of “ Moral Conflicts of Dual Identity and Dual Allegiance” revealed profound moral and emotional struggles among nurses. Four key themes emerged: (1) Moral Stressors and Identity Negotiation, (2) Competing Responsibilities and Ethical Double-binds, (3) Virtual and Practical Wisdom in Crises, (4) Responses of Stress and Erosion of Support Conclusions: Understanding nurses’ ethical dilemmas is essential for healthcare leadership. Leaders must make it a priority for workplace safety for their nurses. In wartime, it is not obvious that the workplace is unsafe; leaders must foster open dialog and support systems in response to these crises. This study highlights the significance of peer support, emphasizing the need for policies that address the complex moral challenges nurses face daily.