PURPOSE
This study was conducted to define the experiences of nursing activities in Gwangju area during the May 18 (5 . 18) Democratic Uprising over 30 years ago.
METHODS
Data were collected in 2010 and 2011 through individual in-depth interviews. Ten nurses who worked in general hospitals in the Gwangju area during the 5 . 18 Democratic Uprising were interviewed using open-ended questions. Each interview lasted about 2~3 hours. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Van Kaam's method of phenomenological analysis.
RESULTS
Four categories emerged from the analysis: anxiety about the incident which was experienced for the first time; progress of the 5 . 18 events and relationship to participants; changes in nursing environment; retrospection and wishes related to the 5 . 18 incident.
CONCLUSION
This oral history study revealed more clearly of the experiences of nursing activities in the Gwangju area during the 5 . 18 Democratic Uprising. The data may provide a basis for writing history nursing in the community, and can be a basis for guidelines covering nursing care in crisis.