Purpose: This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of helper nurses deployed in COVID-19 dedicated wards, seeking a deeper understanding of the significance inherent in their experiences. Methods: Sixteen nurses with over one month of experience working as helper nurses in dedicated COVID-19 wards were selected as participants. Individual interviews were conducted between July and August 2023 using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the methods described by Elo and Kyngäs (2007). Results: The analysis revealed two categories comprising six themes derived from helper nurses’ experiences. These categories include “Confronting Professional Challenges” and “Growing as a More Professional Nurse”. Conclusion: Further studies are necessary to explore helper nurses’ experiences of infectious disease disaster situations. Nurses experience role conflicts, knowledge gaps, and burnout. Therefore, developing protocols for tasks and education is essential in highly uncertain situations and when new responsibilities arise. Establishing systematic support systems for stress reduction and enhancing social support among nurses is crucial. Therefore, additional research is required to understand the growth and impact of helper nurses.

서 론
    1. 연구의 필요성
    2. 연구목적
연 구 방 법
    1. 연구설계
    2. 연구자의 준비
    3. 연구참여자
    4. 자료수집
    5. 자료분석
    6. 연구의 엄밀성 확보
    7. 윤리적 고려
연 구 결 과
    1. 연구참여자의 일반적 특성
    2. COVID-19 전담 병동 헬퍼 간호사 경험
논 의
결 론 및 제 언
REFERENCES

• 박은향(경상국립대학병원 간호사) | Park Eun Hyang (RN, Department of Nursing, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea)
• 장희경(경상국립대학교 간호대학 부교수) | Chang Hee Kyung (Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea) Corresponding author