Lived Experiences of Registered Nurses Delivering Care During Winter Conditions: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

BackgroundWinter conditions intensify operational demands on healthcare services, particularly in community and rural settings where nurses often travel to deliver care. Environmental challenges, including hazardous road conditions and limited accessibility, can affect nurse well-being and patient safety. Few studies have explored how nurses personally experience and adapt to winter-related care delivery constraints. ObjectivesTo explore the lived experiences of registered nurses practicing during winter conditions, identify key challenges, examine adaptive strategies, and inform workforce and policy development to strengthen seasonal preparedness. MethodsA qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was conducted with 20 registered nurses. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on active practice and minimum one winter season of care delivery. Semi-structured interviews for one hour were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Study rigor was supported by reflexive journaling, peer debriefing, and thick descriptive reporting. ResultsFour core themes emerged: (1) physical strain and cold exposure, (2) psychosocial stress and resilience, (3) patient safety risks and care disruption, and (4) adaptive strategies and professional innovation. While winter significantly increases workload and risk, participants demonstrated strong resilience, frequently using flexible scheduling, telehealth, and collaborative decision-making to maintain continuity of care. ConclusionWinter conditions considerably challenge nursing practice but simultaneously promote adaptability and teamwork. System-level support is required to shift from reactive to proactive winter preparedness. Policy recommendations include winter-specific training, improved access to protective resources, telehealth infrastructure investment, and resilience-focused workforce strategies. Policy ImplicationsEnhancing winter preparedness is essential to protect nurse well-being and maintain care continuity during adverse environmental conditions.