Experiences of Nurse Managers in the 2023 Kahramanmaras, Turkey Earthquakes: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Nurse managers play a critical role in disaster response and management; yet research on their experiences in earthquakes remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurse managers in the Kahramanmaras, Turkey, earthquakes. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used to guide this study, exploring the lived experiences of nurse managers who worked during the 2023 earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Purposive sampling identified participants, and data were collected 2-3 months postearthquake, from April to May 2023, via semi-structured interviews conducted via social media. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: A total of 11 nurse managers were interviewed for the study. Fifty-five percent were between the ages of 35 and 44, 64% were female and had a bachelor's degree. Five themes emerged from the data: "being unprepared"(predisaster phase), "emotional difficulties,""communication and coordination issues,""resource shortages"(disaster event phase), and "evaluation and professional satisfaction"(postdisaster phase). CONCLUSION: The study found that most nurse managers reported feeling unprepared for the earthquake despite institutional disaster management practices. They struggled with managing their emotions, resource shortages, and communication-coordination issues. These experiences underscore the need for enhanced disaster training and preparedness for nurses. Collaboration among international health organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and governments is essential to develop disaster management plans to optimize nurses as early responders.