Nurses Lived Experiences of Caring for Patients During the 2022 Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Uganda: A Qualitative Study

Background Nurses play a pivotal role during infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), often placing themselves at significant personal and professional risk. While nurses are central to Ebola response efforts, their lived experiences, particularly in Uganda, remain underexplored. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses who provided care to EVD patients during the 2022 outbreak at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. Methods An exploratory qualitative design was employed using in-depth interviews with seven nurses who worked in the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analysed thematically using a phenomenological approach to capture the emotional, psychological, and professional dimensions of nurses experiences. Results Findings revealed a complex interplay of positive and negative experiences. Positive experiences included joy from patient recovery, strong teamwork, professional growth, and enhanced training in infection prevention and control (IPC). Nurses reported increased confidence, new skills, and opportunities for career advancement, including recognition from international agencies. Conversely, negative experiences dominated the narratives. These included severe resource constraints, overwhelming workload, physical exhaustion, and psychological distress, particularly from witnessing patient suffering and death. Participants described post-traumatic stress symptoms and constant fear of infection and death, exacerbated by inadequate early-stage preparation. Social isolation and disrupted family life were also common, with some nurses concealing their work to avoid distressing loved ones or experiencing stigma within their communities. Additional challenges included team tensions, absenteeism, and disparities in compensation and recognition between existing staff and external recruits. Conclusion The study highlights the profound emotional and professional toll on nurses during the 2022 Ebola outbreak in Uganda. While moments of resilience and growth were evident, structural and systemic challenges significantly impacted nurses well-being and care delivery. To better support frontline health workers, future outbreak responses must prioritize fair compensation, psychosocial support, consistent training, and improved resource allocation. Insights from this study can inform policies aimed at strengthening workforce readiness and retention during health emergencies.