Table 1.

Examples of the analytical process.

Quotations from the text	Condensed meaning units: manifest content	Condensed meaning units: latent content	Themes
We [the non-COVID-19 units] were forgotten in the beginning of the pandemic because some colleagues were relocated. We were in a situation with resignations and nurses starting their maternity leave. Furthermore, the recommendations meant that two RNs had to start their maternity leave earlier. A couple of month later we got substitutes. (ID 10)	Several RNs left the unit due to relocation of RNs to the pandemic wards and due to maternity leave and resignations. They were superseded months later.	The RNs on the non-COVID-19 units felt that focus exclusively was on the pandemic wards. They felt forgotten.	The challenge of an increased workload for RNs remaining in non-COVID-19 units
I have missed to see them together [the patient and their relative]. I have missed to see the patients as I am used to … to sit around a table and communicate, read their body language, observe their reactions … is hasn’t been the same. (ID 4)	The RN has missed seeing the patient and having the possibility of observing the patient.	Not being physically together affects nursing care negatively as it hinders RNs using all their senses to get a more holistic picture of the patient’s situation and condition.	The difficulty of navigating the contradictory needs for both closeness to and distance from patients

Note. RN: registered nurse.