Clinical Practice of Nursing Students in South Korea with COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Background/Objectives: This study sought to explore how nursing students experienced clinical practice in community treatment centers (CTC) under the COVID-19. Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 10 participants experienced nursing at CTC during 3-4 weeks in South Korea, analyzed according to Colaizzi’ s seven process. Results: Four themes summarized participant’ experience. Participants described navigating nursing in a non-contact environment, stepping into the heart of infectious disease response, bearing the emotional weight of quarantine care, finding myself and growing to another level, and discovering professional identity through crisis as transformative growth through immersive clinical practice in quarantine. Enduring and adapting were described as overwhelmed by the threat of infection; living under double restrictions; anxiety in the face of uncertainty; finding moments of relief and connection; and finding myself getting used to it. Reconciling vulnerability and responsibility: embracing a professional role amid crisis was described as torn between anxiety and anticipation, burdened by inexperience and external judgment, Embracing the call with a sense of purpose. Finally, recognition from nurses as peers in real practice, public recognition and collective honor, gratitude for a chance to fulfil a calling highlighted validation and pride: becoming visible as future nurses in a national crisis. Conclusion: This study can be used to understand nursing students' point of view at disaster response sites. This knowledge is important in the context of intersecting nursing education and disasters. Results should inform policymaking and guide nursing education program for disaster.