Abstract: Objective: To explore the working experience of frontline nurses against COVID-19, to analyze the risk factors, protective factors and adaptation strategies that influence nurses' coping with COVID-19, and to provide references for improving the ability of nursing staff in dealing with public health emergencies. Methods: Based on the resilience theory and phenomenological research method, Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted on 12 nurses working in isolation ward for patients with COVID-19. Colaizzi seven-step method was used for data analysis. Results: Three themes were extracted: multiple risk factors, multiple protective factors and multi-dimensional adaptive strategies. Conclusion: The public health emergency management systems in hospitals need to be improved, and more attention needs to be paid to the physical and mental health of nurses in frontline against COVID-19, measures need to be taken to balance the risk factors and protective factors in dealing with public health emergency, and supports are needed to assist nurses to establish multi-dimensional adaptive strategies, so as to improve the adaptive ability of nurses to public health emergencies.

Key words: COVID-19; resistance; anti epidemic frontline; nurses; qualitative research