The experience of nurses worked at the covid-19 unit in intermediate hospital Oshakati, Oshana region, Namibia

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is the world’s most significant public health emergency. Nurses, essential members of the COVID-19 patient care team, are facing the majority of the problems brought on by the disease. To enhance the quality of care provided to COVID-19 patients, this study explored the experience of nurses who worked at the COVID-19 unit in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Oshana Region, Namibia. The study employed an exploratory and descriptive research design with a qualitative approach to the population of thirty-five nurses who worked at the COVID 19 unit in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to select eight participants for data saturation. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection, and a tape recorder was utilized to capture the data. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis using the six steps proposed by Creswell (2014). Findings were presented in themes and subthemes for better comprehension. Ethical considerations were observed, such as approval, the principle of justice, confidentiality, privacy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The analysis of the data revealed four themes and fourteen subthemes: A) positive experiences (learning, patient treatment and recovery, and patient management); B) negative experiences (worry and fear of death of patients, trauma development, and socialization experiences); C) lack of equipment, staff shortage, and challenges with communication with family; and D) psychological support, increase in supply of equipment, and increase in staff members. The study concludes that nurses who participated in this study had both negative and positive experiences and faced challenges. Recommendations include that health officials and hospital management should pay special attention to the challenges and needs of the nurses. They should act as advocates, ensuring that government and healthcare administrators provide nurses who provided care such as favorable working conditions, sufficient funding, and the motivation to carry out their duties skillfully and effectively

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Namibia

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• David, Lydia K.

• COVID-19
• COVID-19 unit
• Experiences
• Nurse
• Nursing care
• Pandemic

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3836

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.unam.edu.na:11070/3836