Date
9-25-2025
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Chair
Tonia Kennedy
Keywords
MICU nurses, COVID-19 pandemic, disaster preparedness, phenomenological study, nursing education, qualitative research, moral injury
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Hopkins, Thomas, "The Lived Experiences of MICU Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7492.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7492
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of MICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these experiences may inform disaster preparedness in the nursing curriculum. This research is guided by Watson’s (1979) theory of human caring. The theory emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and emotional support in nursing practice, and how these elements can be integrated into disaster preparedness training. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field notes, and guided journaling. The interviews were conducted via digital conferencing software over the internet. Field notes were recorded during the interviews. Guided journaling forms were sent to participants via email immediately after the interviews. The study sought to understand how MICU nurses experienced moral, emotional, and institutional challenges during disaster care. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: moral injury and emotional disconnection, systemic failures in leadership and support, deficiencies in disaster preparedness education, and recommendations for preparing future nurses for disaster response. This study contributed new insights into the professional and ethical toll of pandemic nursing and highlighted the importance of incorporating emotional preparedness into disaster training curricula.
