An Integrated Review of Difficulties and Response Strategies Experienced by Korean Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Based on Qualitative Research

Abstract

Since the end of 2019, thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide have lost their lives due to COVID-19 infections. In South Korea too, healthcare professionals have experienced various physical and psychological difficulties stemming from COVID-19 infections. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the difficulties, responses, and changes in experience of Korean nurses during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Using the integrated literature review method suggested by Whittemore and Knafl, qualitative research papers on the experiences of Korean nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. A total of nine documents were selected, and the experiences of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic were classified in terms of the difficulties they encountered, their responses, and other relevant changes. The main finding of this study is that Korean nurses underwent severe physical and mental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding suggests that plans should be developed now, both by governments and medical institutions, to provide better support and protection to nurses in the event of future pandemics.