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The goal of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore in-depth, critical care nurses' (CCNs) lived experience while caring for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during the pandemic. Background: CCNs play an important role during pandemics characterized by highly contagious, lifethreatening disease. Understanding the experience of CCNs during a pandemic is particularly important because of the high rate of burnout within this group, as well as a shortage of these caregivers across the globe. Methods: Using Heidegger's interpretive phenomenological approach, interviews were conducted with 10 CCNs caring for COVID-19 patients. The goal of the interviews was to access a deep layer of understanding regarding participants' lived experience. Results: Themes of role frustration, emotional and physical exhaustion, and the importance of presence were revealed. Conclusion: Themes revealed suggest a number of actions hospital administrators could take to support CCNs as they experience the challenges of a pandemic.

The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of chief nursing officers (CNOs), including leadership strategies that they developed as they encountered the administrative challenges posed by COVID-19. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic required CNOs to make difficult decisions and to support nursing staff as they cared for critically ill and dying patients, and therefore, they experienced intense stress during a pandemic of a highly infectious disease. Understanding the challenges that CNOs faced in this crisis will help hospitals and CNOs to better prepare for the future. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, we conducted interviews with 9 CNOs from hospitals across the United States. The goal of the interviews was to develop an understanding of the difficulties that these CNOs encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic and their emotional response to the challenging situations. RESULTS: Themes of frustration, heartbreak, and feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and helpless were revealed. In addition, pride in being a nurse was expressed. CONCLUSION: Themes revealed in this study suggested intentional leadership strategies that would be useful in future healthcare crises.