EXPERIENCES OF ROTARY NURSING INTERNSHIPS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changed the world's life and the health of the population, increasing mortality rates. In Ecuador the situation was no different, resulting in the reaction capacity of health personnel. Therefore, the emotional, cognitive and procedural experiences developed by nursing staff were essential. Objective: To describe the emotional, cognitive and procedural experiences of rotating interns of the Nursing Career at the Central University of Ecuador during the pandemic. Methods: Qualitative, ethnographic, narrative and phenomenological study with focus groups; whose participants were students of the rotating internship who carried out pre-professional practices in second and third level of complexity care teaching units during the pandemic. Data processing was carried out with Atlas-Ti 9.0 Software. Results: The positive emotional experiences were: empathy, companionship, decision and resilience; where anxiety, depression and fear were negative experiences. Cognitive experiences show the importance of academic training and self-education in care management, protocol management, drug administration, teamwork, and medical supplies management. In relation to practical and procedural experiences, reflective thinking and logical reasoning strengthened assessment, respiratory isolation management, and oxygen therapy. Conclusions: Participants experienced positive and negative emotions. The scientific foundation allowed them to provide quality care, despite long work days, the risk of contagion, and the unknown disease. Procedural practices proved to be essential and were based on management and leadership.