Purpose
This study explored the lived experiences of physician assistants (PAs) in Korea during the 2024 medical workforce shortage, focusing on how they perceived and adapted to their rapidly changing roles. The study investigated both the challenges PAs faced and the professional growth they experienced throughout the adaptation process. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative design was applied using Colaizzi’s method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 PAs at a tertiary hospital in Seoul between September 25, 2024 and February 1, 2025. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Four major theme clusters emerged: changes in work environment and quality of life, role conflict and ambiguity in professional identity, dual aspects of role expansion including autonomy and burnout, and coping strategies and structural policy demands. Participants reported physical and emotional strain, but also described greater involvement in care decisions, improved patient relationships, and a stronger sense of professional identity. Conclusion: Amid the medical staffing crisis, PAs adapted to their expanded responsibilities and became key healthcare providers. While facing substantial burdens, they simultaneously experienced personal and professional growth. Institutional and legal support is essential to stabilize their roles and improve long-term healthcare outcomes.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to expand nurse's experience of harmful work environments.
METHODS
Data were collected through in-depth dividual interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi phenomenological analysis methodology.
RESULTS
Harmful work environments experienced by nurses were categorized as followed: ‘Neglect concerning infections’, ‘Being thrown into a violent working environment’, ‘The hard times of being alone’, ‘Struggling with the harmful work environments’.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study provide a deep understanding of the harmful work environments. It is necessary to create safe work environments and it is important to improve awareness in the system of organizations as well as individuals. Also, it is necessary to develop tools to measure work environment including risk factors.

Citations

• The influence of tertiary hospital nurses’ ageism, empathy, and work intensity on the performance of geriatric nursing: A cross-sectional study
  Jang mi Park, Jung Suk Park
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2025; 27(1): 74.     CrossRef
• Associations of anxiety and fatigue with hazardous occupational conditions of Korean nurses in early pregnancy: A cross‐sectional study
  Jung‐Hee Kim, Oksoo Kim, Mijung Cho, Hyunseon Jeong, Hyunju Dan
  International Journal of Nursing Practice.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Development and Evaluation of Nursing Work Environment Scale of Clinical Nurses
  Yeong Ju Ko, Gwi-Ryung Son Hong
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2022; 28(5): 576.     CrossRef