Alturistic experiences of earthquake victim nurses: A phenomenological study

Background It is unclear what the consequences would be if nurses were unwilling to provide care services that require sacrifice during times of crisis. However, identifying nurses’ experiences of care involving sacrifice in these situations is crucial for improving nurses’ well-being and, consequently, the quality of patient care. Aim To describe the altruistic experiences of nurses affected by the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş, recorded as the disaster of the century in Turkey. Design Qualitative research design, phenomenological type. Methods The research was conducted between November 2023 and October 2024 with 17 nurses who worked in the 6 February 2023 earthquake, following institutional permission and ethics committee approval. Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interview method. Phenomenological analysis was used to analyze data. Ethical considerations Approval was obtained from the institutional (E-12472141-604.01-235032340) and ethics review boards (E-13562490-050.01.04-436203), and informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results The majority of participants were female and had a bachelor’s degree. The average years of experience in profession was 7.82 and 94.12% worked in a hospital that was damaged by earthquake. Four main themes were identified, comprising 20 sub-themes reflecting altruistic experiences of nurses providing care to earthquake victims: (i) The lifesaving mission; (ii) The light of altruistic care; (iii) The weight of altruistic care; and (iv) Balancing acts: the challenge of professional and personal life. Conclusion Study results highlight the experiences of nurses providing altruistic care after earthquake, revealing natural burdens and benefits that come with their professional commitment. Implications in practice Developing nurses’ disaster preparedness, resilience, and psychosocial support is essential for strengthening nursing services in future crises. Comprehensive policies and disaster nursing programs are needed to ensure safe work environments and sustainable healthcare systems. Understanding these phenomena requires a comprehensive examination of the psychological and practical consequences of such commitment, which necessitates further research.