Aim: To explore nurses' perspectives on and experiences of safety-related organisational challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak by Iranian nurses.
Background: In different clinical contexts, nurses face numerous organisational challenges threatening their safety because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction: Exploring nurses' perceptions towards safety-oriented organisational challenges might inform nurse managers, healthcare managers, educators and policymakers on the priorities that should be considered to increase organisations' readiness and safety.
Methods: This qualitative descriptive study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Through purposeful sampling, 19 participants were involved. The research data were collected from March to August 2021 by conducting semi-structured interviews that were analysed through the content analysis approach.
Findings: Three organisation-related safety challenges experienced were related to (1) human resource, (2) educational and (3) workforce protection issues.
Discussion: Nurses experienced several safety issues related to the complexity faced by the health care organisations during the pandemic, exacerbated by previous frailties of the nursing system.
Conclusion: The three challenges that emerged might be considered a priority in building pandemic plans, transforming the experiences of nurses as a source of learning for all, capitalising on their suggestions and rendering healthcare facilities ready to deal safely with future crises.
Implications for nursing and health policy: Adopting appropriate measures to decrease human resource issues and that related to education, and promoting workforce health protection, are both recommended to improve nurses' work environment and satisfy their safety needs.
Keywords: COVID-19; Iran; nurses; organisation; perceptions; qualitative research; safety.
© 2022 International Council of Nurses.