490 Nursing Professionals’Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Puerto Rico: A Phenomenological Study

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nursing frontline professionals. The aims of this study were to explore experiences of nursing professionals in Puerto Rico during the pandemic, examine the impact on their health and provide research development opportunities enhance research capacity. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This interpretative phenomenological study recruited graduate nurses who participated in one in-depth semi-structured virtual interviews. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. The data analysis process was guided using the following steps: 1. Reading and re-reading, 2. Initial noting, 3. Developing emergent themes, 4. Searching for connections across emergent themes, 5. Moving to the next case, 6. Looking for patterns across cases, and 7. Writing up. In addition, Van Manen's thematic structure of four foundations was used as a complement to guide reflection and interpretation. Faculty and students participated throughout the process. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Seven nursing professionals’lived experiences caring for Covid-19 patients were gathered. Their ages ranged from 31 to 45 and had worked between 2 and 14 years providing direct care. Themes that emerged from narrations include compassion fatigue, teamwork, working beyond clinical role, and gratification. Nurses expressed dealing with a very difficult situation, fear of being infected , or infecting my family , and working together to get through it and better help patients . Nurses also expressed feelings of anxiety and lack of institutional support. Additionally, the impact of working with patients, feeling good for being there, good or bad and support from families. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Nurses’narrations point to the complexities of their experiences working during the pandemic. They had to transcend usual demands even though they often lacked needed support. We must recognize the value of nursing and reflect upon changes in healthcare that are essential to move nursing forward.