Experiences of Registered Nurses Providing Care to COVID-19 Patients at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital and Sekgoma Memorial Isolation Centre.

Introduction: The negative effects of COVID-19 on registered nurses (RNs) across the globe are slowly being reported. However, documentation in developing countries like Botswana is limited despite the perilous roles and responsibilities they played in patient care during the pandemic. Understanding the experiences of RNs working in COVID-19 isolation areas offers a body of knowledge that can improve current healthcare systems and assist in better preparing for future public health crises. Aim: To explore and describe the experiences of RNs who worked in selected COVID-19 isolation centres in Botswana. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, phenomenological research design was used. RNs were purposefully sampled, and data were collected using phenomenological, in-depth, individual interviews. Giorgi's method of qualitative data analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Nineteen RNs aged 23-47 years were interviewed. Three themes emerged with subthemes: participants expressed professional challenges in providing care and treatment, participants made personal sacrifices and felt isolated, and participants shared positive experiences (silver lining) of providing care during the COVID-19 era. Conclusion: The participants experienced both personal and system challenges but grew professionally and demonstrated resilience. The results pointed to a need for RNs to be supported when providing care during pandemics primarily to enhance their well-being.