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This research examines the feelings of nurses who were infected with COVID-19 and their experiences returning to work.

February 19, 2026Nursing and Health Sciences0 citationsOpen Access

Feelings and Experiences of Return‐to‐Work Among Nurses Occupationally Infected With COVID ‐19 During the Late Phase of the Pandemic in Japan

NSNoriko ShinkaiAomori University of Health and Welfare KOKayoko OhnishiNagoya City University HYHisako YanoAichi Medical University

Key Points

This research examines the feelings of nurses who were infected with COVID-19 and their experiences returning to work.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 nurses infected during the late pandemic phase.
Employed a qualitative inductive analysis of interview data.
Explored emotional and psychological responses from diagnosis to return to work.
Nurses reported shock, guilt, and self-blame upon diagnosis, affecting their return-to-work feelings.
Negative experiences led to distrust in workplace infection control measures and thoughts of leaving their job.
Support from managers and colleagues during recovery helped foster a motivation to return and a sense of achievement.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the feelings of nurses occupationally infected with COVID‐19 during the late pandemic phase in Japan, from diagnosis to return to work, to provide suggestions for safe and continuous employment. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted among 11 nurses infected during the late phase of the pandemic (August 2022 to February 2023). The data were analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach. At diagnosis, nurses experienced shock and a strong sense of guilt and self‐blame arising from the feeling of being blamed by others. Negative emotions during the infection period influenced postreturn feelings, leading to distrust stemming from insufficient infection control measures and a desire to leave their workplace. Conversely, gratitude for the support from managers and colleagues during the recuperation period fostered their determination to return. Furthermore, a sense of achievement, such as improved nursing expertise and reaffirmation of professional values, facilitated a positive transformation of the infection experience, supporting work motivation. These findings suggest that managers and colleagues recognize the importance of alleviating nurses' self‐blame, improving environments, and organizational support, enabling nurses to maintain achievement by reframing their experiences positively.

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