Reflecting on the Challenges encountered by nurses at the great Kermanshah Earthquake: A qualitative study 

Background: Iran has experienced an increasing number of earthquake disasters in the past three decades. Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers that play an important role in responding to disasters. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the nursing challenges to provide care to the injured in the Kermanshah earthquake, Iran. Methods: : The present study was conducted as a qualitative conventional content analysis, and data collection was carried out through 16 semi‑structured and in‑depth interviews with the nurses involved in providing care to the injured in the Kermanshah earthquake. The data were analyzed following Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. Results: : Data analysis led to the emergence of 453 primary codes, 14 subcategories, and 5 categories. The five categories were as follows: (a) organizational and managerial challenges; (b) human resources; (c) infrastructure; (d) educational system; (e) and ethical. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that nurses faced several challenges in providing care to earthquake victims. Based on these findings, better educational management and planning, infrastructure reform, and establishment of a crisis nursing national team seem necessary.