ABSTRACT 

Aim: The aim of this qualitative exploratory study aimed was to explore how nurses experienced and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in clinical settings to develop a response model. 

Design: Focus group interviews. Methods: Thirteen focus group interviews (n=50) with nurses and nurse leaders practicing in diverse clinical settings were conducted between May and July of 2021 in South Korea. A content analysis was utilised to analyse and interpret the transcribed texts of the recorded focus group interviews. 

Results: Five main themes emerged about nurses' responses through the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Alarm, (2) Assessment, (3) Adaptation, (4) Amplification, and (5) Affect, forming a 5A nursing response model. The first four themes describe a time-ordered sequence, while the fifth theme describes the fluctuations in nurses' affect over time. 

Conclusions: Our findings explain how nurses deal with an unknown crisis, innovate and lead in the middle of that crisis, and provide a valuable theoretical foundation for developing the 5A response model to prepare for future pandemics. Understanding these core response experiences is vital to preventing the breakdown of the medical system and improving the quality of care provided in emergencies in hospitals and communities. 

Implications for the Profession (Or Patient Care): Nursing professionals experienced significant emotional upheaval during the pandemic as they continuously adapted to an evolving situation. They assessed the circumstances, addressed emerging challenges, and broadened their nursing competencies to meet unprecedented demands. Impact: The 5A response model could serve as a blueprint for nurses to effectively respond to unknown crises, innovate, and lead in the middle of a crisis in the future. 

Reporting Method: We used the COREQ guidelines. 

Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.