Experiences of Surgical Ward Nurses During a Healthcare Service Disruption in Korea: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the experiences of surgical ward nurses in Korea during a healthcare service disruption-a period of substantial interruption in routine hospital services that occurred in February 2024-and to provide an understanding of the challenges they faced and how they adapted in order to maintain care quality in crises. METHODS: A qualitative study using qualitative thematic analysis was conducted through individual in-depth interviews with 12 nurses working in surgical wards at a tertiary hospital. The data were collected between February and March 2025 and recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed based on Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: (1) Adapting to shifting roles in the midst of the medical service disruption; (2) Psychological pressure under the changed patient reporting system; (3) Burnout under organizational strain; and (4) Professional growth through crisis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that nurses faced expanded roles, communication challenges, and organizational strain during healthcare service disruption. Clear role definitions, supportive communication systems, and strengthened organizational resources were needed to reduce burden and help nurses sustain patient care quality during future healthcare crises.