The experience of volunteer nurses providing health and social support to refugees during the war in Ukraine: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Wars worldwide inflict immense suffering and drive mass migrations to neighbouring countries. The Ukraine conflict has forced millions to flee, often lacking healthcare and family support. In response, volunteer health and social care networks, including nurses and doctors, were established to assist refugees. Among these, the "Coordination of Volunteer Nurses for Health Emergencies Association" (CIVES) played a key role in providing frontline care.

Objective: This study explored the experiences of Italian volunteer nurses delivering health and social care to refugees during the Ukrainian conflict.

Design: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to examine the experiences of volunteer nurses from CIVES.

Settings: The study involved volunteer nurses participating in a mission to support Ukrainian refugees.

Participants: A total of 17 volunteer nurses (47.1 % female) from CIVES took part in the study.

Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted between June and August 2024. Giorgi's phenomenological method was employed for data analysis, identifying key challenges and experiences among the nursing staff.

Results: The analysis identified five central themes. First, a holistic approach to care was prominent, with nurses addressing not only physical health needs but also providing critical emotional and psychological support. Second, language and communication challenges emerged, often requiring nurses to rely on non-verbal cues and collaborative teamwork to bridge language barriers effectively. Third, a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration was evident, with nurses frequently working alongside psychologists, social workers, and cultural mediators to deliver comprehensive care. Fourth, the crisis revealed significant emotional and psychological impacts, particularly due to the trauma endured by refugees, including unaccompanied minors, which had a profound effect on the nurses themselves. Finally, personal adaptation and growth surfaced as a key theme, as participants described both personal fulfilment and professional development through their experiences.

Conclusions: Volunteer nurses providing care to refugees face significant challenges, including emotional burdens and ethical dilemmas. The findings suggest a need for specialized training in holistic care and crisis management, emphasizing the importance of psychological support and multidisciplinary collaboration in disaster and conflict situations.

Keywords: Advanced nursing practice; Qualitative study; Refugees; Volunteer nurses; War.

Fig. 1

Experiences of CIVES volunteer nurses.