Over 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought asylum in the United States since 2022, when the Russian government invaded Ukraine. The purpose of this study was to explore how Ukrainian nurses in the United States account for a cultural understanding of Ukrainian refugees.
Methods:
A pilot study using focused ethnography was conducted between March and July 2024. Data were generated from interviews with six Ukrainian nurses, field notes, artwork, and public documents. Using thematic content analysis, three themes were derived.
Results:
The first theme, A sanctuary of help, depicted how Ukrainian communities were found in local churches that provided a support system. The second theme, Who am I here?, reflected uncertainty about the war and refugee status. The last theme, Unstable underpinnings, revealed how the resettlement process impacted refugees’ cultural identity.
Discussion:
With a shared cultural heritage, Ukrainian nurses play an important role in the care of refugees during resettlement.
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