Exploring Critical Care Nurses' Experiences of Care After an Earthquake: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred in Turkey. The earthquakes caused severe damage and loss of life in 11 provinces, and the injured were transferred to other provinces for treatment and care. AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the nursing experiences of nurses who cared for people affected by the two major earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş. STUDY DESIGN: A phenomenological research design was used in this study. The study sample consisted of 24 nurses who provided care to earthquake victims in the intensive care unit (n = 20) and the emergency service (n = 4). Nurses were included in the study using the purposive sampling method. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and continued until data saturation was reached. The research data was collected between June and August 2024 using a semi-structured interview form. The data were analysed using the inductive content analysis technique. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) were used as a guide when reporting this study. FINDINGS: Four main themes were identified in the in-depth interviews conducted with the nurses. These were: (1) Psychosocial impact of caring for earthquake victims, (2) Difficulties experienced in caring for them, (3) Experiencing personal and professional resilience during care and (4) Reflections shaped by their lived experience for future disasters. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the nurses showed great dedication in the face of the disaster they experienced and encountered various difficulties in caring for the earthquake victims. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The unexpected and sudden nature of disasters requires effective planning, coordination and implementation of health services. In this context, health institutions, universities and policymakers should take strategic measures to reduce the difficulties faced by nurses in disaster situations such as earthquakes and to increase the effectiveness of health services.