The workload of Indonesian nurses working in Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 pandemic: A phenomenological study

Akhir Fahruddin (Department of Health Behavior, Environment and Social Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
Slametiningsih Slametiningsih (Department of Health Physic, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Indonesia)
Nurul Uswatin (Department of Health Behavior, Environment and Social Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
Ade Koswara (King Faisal Specialists and Research Center, Saudi Arabia)

Journal Of Holistic Nursing Science
Vol 10 No 1 (2023): January - June

Studies showed the significant impact on nurses' clinical experience and how they face work challenges during COVID-19. This study explores Indonesian nurses' working experiences in Saudi Arabia during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was used in this study. The inclusion criteria were 10 Indonesian nurses working in the COVID-19 ward, registered nurses at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), and able to participate in this research, while the exclusion criteria were out of those criteria. A semi-structured interview was used in a suitable setting, and the data transcription followed seven steps of Colaizzi's analysis. Three themes were identified: burnout, support system, and job satisfaction. These themes reflect the workload of Indonesian nurses who work in the government hospital in Saudi Arabia. All participants were exhausted in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher recommended the need for comprehensive support by the government and suggested established policies that reduce the psychological problem of non-Saudi nurses in post-pandemic COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19; Indonesian nurse; working experiences; phenomenological study; Saudi Arabia