Workplace Experiences and Organisational Support among Nurses in Public Hospitals during COVID-19: A Pilot Thematic Analysis Study

The COVID-19 pandemic placed nurses at the heart of crisis response, exposing them to intense psychological, professional, and organisational pressures. Understanding their workplace experiences is vital to improving support systems and crisis management practices. This pilot study explores nurses’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysian public hospitals, focusing on workplace challenges and organisational support. It also assesses the feasibility of conducting full-scale qualitative thematic study. Using a qualitative exploration design, five nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework. Three major themes emerged: emotional responses (fear, exhaustion, resilience), caregiving challenges (resource constraints, patient non-compliance), and adaptive strategies (teamwork, peer support, self-care). The findings highlight key issues in human resource management during health crises and affirm the value of organisational support and teamwork in sustaining nurses’ performance.