Experiences of the Nursing Professionals Hospitalized by Covid-19 in Peru: Dawning Every Day Meant one More Chance to Live

Abstract

Introduction Nursing professionals who contracted Covid-19 went from being caregivers to victims of the infection, and they knew first-hand how dangerous it could be. The impact on these health care professionals stayed with them even after their physical health recovered. Objective To understand the experiences of nursing professionals hospitalized with COVID-19, regarding their illness, hospitalization and care received. Methods Qualitative phenomenological study, with two in-depth interviews each with six nursing professionals who had representative cases from public hospitals in Lima, Peru, was chosen until theoretical saturation was achieved. Results Four main themes emerged from the transcripts of the 12 interviews conducted: self-assessment about the form of infection, identification and complications of the disease, feelings about the disease-hospitalization, and perception of the care received as a patient. Conclusion Being hospitalized as COVID-19 patients has been a difficult experience for nursing professionals, characterized by fear of dying; where the emotional support of their family and colleagues, as well as their spiritual strength, have allowed them to achieve their recovery, so they feel satisfied with the care received.