PURPOSE: Since the outbreak of the unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis, Filipino nurses are one of the vital health workers in fighting its devastation in the Philippines. The study aimed to describe the lived-experiences of Filipino next generation nurses as frontliners in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: The paper espoused the qualitative research design of inquiry exclusively Husserlian descriptive phenomenology. Study participants were selected using non-probability, purposive sampling design. The sample (N=19) was consisted of Filipino nurses with less than 10 years of practice experience, referred to as next-generation nurses, who function as frontline healthcare workers in healthcare settings, both male and female. The study was conducted in the national capital region (NCR), which has the most COVID-19 cases in the country. Due to the community quarantine imposed by the national government, the corpus of data was collected through virtual semi-structured interviews and from the participants' testimonies posted in social-media. METHOD: An adaptation of Colaizzi's empirical phenomenological research approach was utilized to obtain an in-depth understanding and analysis of study participants' experiences. FINDINGS: The profound, life-changing experiences of a select group of Filipino next- generation nurses were unified in three interesting themes, namely,: acclimatization to the challenges of the novel clinical situation, affirmation of the spirit of resiliency, and actualization of the valued calling. CONCLUSION: The contagion has demanded a new way of working, and these nurses have risen to the challenge, and demonstrated how capable they are at responding to new situations and uncertainty. Despite facing dire challenges, they demonstrate the spirit of resiliency. This health crisis enables them to impart the value of the nursing vocation. As they navigate this unprecedented contagion, their experiences and status could likely alter at different phases of the pandemic. Hence, the provision of long-term and holistic support for them is necessary to preserve their welfare.
COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Family Characteristics

PURPOSE: The study purported to explore the lived experience of a select group of Filipino mothers who had undergone water birth delivery.

DESIGN: A qualitative, descriptive phenomenology research design was used to investigate the phenomenon. The sample (N=10) was comprised of women who had undergone water birth, 25-45 years old, primiparous and multiparous. A self-report method using face-to-face, in depth, semi structured interviews guided by an aide memoire abetted the data collection procedure. The principles of beneficence, respect for human dignity, and justice were observed throughout the research process.

MODE OF ANALYSIS: Significant statements were culled from the field text and analyzed using Colaizzi method. The validation techniques of members checking and critical friends were utilized.

FINDINGS: The findings revealed that mothers found the experience extraordinary and the warmth and buoyancy of the water used in such mode foster comfort and ease of delivery while enabling them to manage their pains positively. Four themes emerged namely: (1) In her own private world; (2) At her fullest power; (3) To her ease and comfort; and (4) At her own course.

CONCLUSIONS: Research in recent times has provided limited evidence in making water birth a prevalent alternative for women to welcome their babies into this world. It is vital to focus on the experience of water birth from the mother's lens. Water birth has potential benefits to both mother and neonate and promotes maternal satisfaction; however, it remains the responsibility of health practitioners to provide credible evidence of its safety to prove that water birth is a valuable option to conventional delivery.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged (a Person 45-64 Years Of Age) ; Adult (a Person 19-44 Years Of Age) ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Qualitative Research ; Philippines