Summary of Nursing Assistance to Xinjiang Experience: A Qualitative Study (2019–2025) of Local Nurses at Tiemenguan People's Hospital, Xinjiang

Abstract Objective: To explore the perceptions and experiences of local nurses at Tiemenguan Hospital in Xinjiang regarding nursing assistance to the region, and to examine its impact on nursing work and hospital development. Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight local nurses who worked at Tiemenguan Hospital from September 2019 to September 2025. Purposeful sampling was used to capture authentic experiences, and the Colaizzi seven-step method was applied to analyze, extract, and synthesize the interview data. Results: After repeated reading and coding, four major themes and 13 sub-themes were identified: (1) The significance and value of nursing assistance to Xinjiang; (2) The implementation effects of nursing assistance to Xinjiang; (3) The obstacles faced by nursing assistance to Xinjiang; (4) Future expectations for nursing assistance to Xinjiang. Conclusion: Based on the experiences of local nurses in this study, nursing assistance to Xinjiang plays a crucial role in enhancing nursing standards at grassroots hospitals and supporting hospital development. However, its sustainability is limited by staff turnover and institutional challenges. It is recommended to deepen assistance through institutionalization, platform-building, and specialization, thereby achieving “assistance that goes beyond technology and sustains itself locally.”