Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Perspectives of Frontline Nurses Working in South Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Combined Method of Text Network Analysis and Summative Content Analysis: Lee, SangA , Lee, Tae Wha , Lee, Seung Eun; J Korean Acad Nurs 2023;53(6):584-596. Published online December 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.23048

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study aimed to explore the perspectives of frontline nurses working during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods
An online qualitative study was conducted using a pragmatic approach. The data were collected in August 2021. Registered Korean nurses who provided direct nursing care to patients with confirmed COVID-19 were eligible for this study. An online survey was used to gather free-text data, which were then analyzed using machine-based network analysis and summative content analysis.
Results
The analysis examined the responses of 126 participants and led to the identification of six prominent themes. These themes were further classified into three distinct levels: personal, task, and organizational. The identified themes are as follows: “collapse of personal life,” “being overwhelmed by the numerous roles required,” “personal protective equipment was sufficiently provided, but that is not enough,” “changes in interprofessional collaboration,” “inappropriate workforce management,” and “diverted allocation of healthcare services and resources.” Conclusion: Our findings highlight areas for improvement in resources, systems, and policies to enhance preparedness for future pandemics.

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Experience of Nurses in Charge of COVID-19 Screening at General Hospitals in Korea: Ha, Boo Young , Bae, Yun-Sook , Ryu, Han Sol , Jeon, Mi-Kyeong; J Korean Acad Nurs 2022;52(1):66-79. Published online February 28, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21166

Abstract PDF: Purpose
The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the experiences of nurses in charge of COVID-19 screening at general hospitals in South Korea.
Methods
Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with 14 nurses who had been working for more than a month at a screening clinic operated by two general hospitals from May 11 to July 20, 2021. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis.
Results
As a result of analysis, four theme clusters were extracted from nurses’ experiences, as follow: the role of the hospital gatekeeper entrusted with managing the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to maintain the protective barrier, boundlessness like a Mobius strip, and driving force to endure as a nurse in charge of COVID-19 screening.
Conclusion
The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the lives of screening clinic nurses who are struggling with the COVID-19 situation. The results are expected to be useful in providing basic data for improving the infection control system and response strategies that can be applied to nursing practice in other pandemic situations.

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3 Web of Science

Collaborative Disaster Governance Recognized by Nurses during a Pandemic: Rim, Dahae , Shin, Hyunsook , Jeon, Hyejin , Kim, Jieun , Chun, Hyojin , Oh, Hee , Shon, Soonyoung , Shim, Kaka , Kim, Kyung Mi; J Korean Acad Nurs 2021;51(6):703-719. Published online December 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21163

Abstract PDF: Purpose
We aimed to identify collaborative disaster governance through the demand and supply analysis of resources recognized by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We used a descriptive study design with an online survey technique for data collection. The survey questions were developed based on focus group interviews with nurses responding to COVID-19 and expert validity testing. A 42-question online survey focusing on disaster governance was sent to nurses working in COVID-19 designated hospitals, public health offices, and schools. A total of 630 nurses participated in the survey. Demand and supply analysis was used to identify the specific components of disaster governance during a pandemic situation and analyze priority areas in disaster governance, as reported by nurses.
Results
Demand and supply analysis showed that supplies procurement, cooperation, education, and environment factors clustered in the high demand and supply quadrant while labor condition, advocacy, emotional support, and workload adjustment factors clustered in the high demand but low supply quadrant, indicating a strong need in those areas of disaster governance among nurses. The nurses practicing at the public health offices and schools showed major components of disaster governance plotted in the second quadrant, indicating weak collaborative disaster governance.
Conclusion
These findings show that there is an unbalanced distribution among nurses, resulting in major challenges in collaborative disaster governance during COVID-19. In the future and current pandemic, collaborative disaster governance, through improved distribution, will be useful for helping nurses to access more required resources and achieve effective pandemic response.

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Untact Visit Service Development Based on an Application Reflecting the Circumstances during COVID-19: Focusing on Utilization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units: Woo, Dahae , Yu, Hanui , Kim, Hyo Jin , Choi, Minyoung , Kim, Dong Hee; J Korean Acad Nurs 2021;51(5):573-584. Published online October 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21143

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study aimed to develop an untact visit service based on an application that can be utilized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during COVID-19.
Methods
This study adopted the double diamond process of service design comprising the discovery, defining, and development stages.
Results
We developed an untact visit service based on an application that considered the child’s status, schedule, photo, and video messages, and so on. Moreover, we derived a service flow regarding the required roles and the type of flow shown between each stakeholder.
Conclusion
Considering the ongoing pandemic, the untact visit service is designed to increase rapport and participation of parents, share the child’s information in real-time, and provide one-stop service without increasing healthcare providers’ work. It will be a useful visit service that can be applied and evaluated in various hospital settings and the PICU.

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8 Web of Science

A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Nurses Caring for Patients with COVID-19 in Korea: Oh, Hee , Lee, Na Kyoung; J Korean Acad Nurs 2021;51(5):561-572. Published online October 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21112

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study aimed to understand nurses’ lived experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19.
Methods
The phenomenological research method was used. The study participants were 16 Korean nurses who had experiences in caring for patients with COVID-19 in clinical settings. Data was collected using one-on-one in-depth interviews, from June 30 to September 30, 2020. During the interview, the quarantine rules were observed.
Results
The study derived four themes clusters and thirty-eight sub themes. Four theme clusters were identified, i.e., ‘a repetitive sense of crisis’, ‘enduring a drastic change,’ ‘sacrifice of personal life,’ and ‘pride in nursing’. The nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 were an uneasy, unfamiliar, and threatening experiences for an individual, but it is an opportunity for a nursing organization to renew. Accordingly, it was found that nurses faithfully fulfill their individual roles with a vocation and responsibility.
Conclusion
The study provides an in-depth understanding of the situational, psychological, and environmental aspects of challenges facing nurses in the pandemic situation. Based on the findings, institutional follow-up measures should be provided to establish support systems for better nursing care. In addition, studies are needed to track nurses' experiences in the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

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12 Web of Science

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