Abstract: Objective: To explore the practical experience of workplace reciprocity for emergency department nurses, in order to sort out the cooperative culture of their teams, and provide a reference for the development and advancement of reciprocal behavior in the emergency department, as well as the improvement of emergency nursing management. Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with 13 emergency department nurses using a qualitative research method, and the data were analyzed and sorted out by content analysis method. Results: Through the collation and analysis of data, a total of four themes were extracted: reciprocity existed widely and conformed to the characteristics of emergency nursing work; the forms and timing of reciprocal behavior varied; interaction between nurses with different working years; emergency care managers encouraged and supported reciprocal behavior. Conclusion: Workplace reciprocity has an important impact on emergency department nurses, and improving workplace reciprocity can create a safer, more convenient, and more efficient work atmosphere. It is suggested to combine the characteristics of emergency nursing work culture and the characteristics of reciprocal behavior of nurses of different seniorities, figure out the existing reciprocal behavior of emergency care, summarize its form and timeliness of development, and encourage reciprocal behavior at the management level to promote emergency nursing teamwork and improve the working environment and atmosphere.

Key words: emergency department nurse; workplace reciprocity; team; qualitative research