2025 Volume 28 Issue 3 Pages 21-30
Objective: To elucidate the conflicts experienced by public health nurses (PHNs) at public health centers in response to COVID–19 during the early stages of the pandemic.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine PHNs from five public health centers. The participants shared specific experiences, such as “empathizing with the suffering of COVID–19 infected or suspected individuals.” The analysis was based on a grounded theory approach. The survey was conducted between October and November, 2020.
Results: The core phenomenon causing conflicts for PHNs during the early stages of the pandemic was “becoming aware of the suffering of COVID–19 patients indirectly or directly.” PHNs’ conflicts arose at various points during the process of “facing the anxiety and confusion” of infected or suspected individuals, leading to outcomes such as “hesitation to provide support, unresolved feelings, and regret” or “a sense of growth and learning from the experience.”
Conclusion: For PHNs, “becoming aware of the suffering of COVID–19 patients indirectly or directly.” tested their ethical sensitivity as nursing professionals. To better equip PHNs in managing ethical dilemmas during pandemics, ethical education and training should be provided during non-crisis periods, along with the development of systems to support PHNs in navigating ethical challenges.
