Nurses on shacking ground—A qualitative study of Danish dermatology and allergology nurses' experiences of relocation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: To investigate dermatology and allergology nurses' experiences of relocation from an outpatient clinic to a newly established COVID-19 infectious disease ward. Design: A phenomenological-hermeneutical approach was applied. Methods: Three focus groups with nurses were conducted from June to August 2020. Data were analysed in accordance with Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. Results: The relocation represented a challenging period that involved uncertainty and evoked feelings of excitement and dedication towards the nursing profession. Nurses felt obligated to help; however, they also experienced that they did not have a say in the relocation. The placement on the infectious disease ward was characterized by adaptations in three areas: unfamiliar working environment, unfamiliar team competencies and inadequate nursing training. E-learning training was experienced as insufficient, as it did not enhance the nurses' specific competencies or confidence in caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: The relocation of nurses from an outpatient clinic to a new COVID-19 infectious disease ward created a dilemma between nurses' sense of duty and their right to self-determination. A prompt relocation into a newly established unfamiliar field caused frustrations because there were no unspoken rules to rely on. Managers should take nurses' experiences and perceptions under careful consideration and strive for more involvement in future scenarios. Patient or Public Contributions: No patient or public contribution.