This phenomenological study aimed to describe and explain nurses' experiences in caring for patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Informants were registered nurses who had cared for a hospitalized patient with SARS between March 31, 2003 and April 1, 2003. In-depth interviews were conducted and the van Manen thematic analysis was applied for data analysis. The nurses described the experiences of caring for a patient with SARS as 1) like soldiers sent to war; like being thrown into the sea, 2) like working in a life-threatening situation, 3) like caring for severely infected patient and/or isolated patient; 4) an experience to be proud of, like having done a difficult task successfully, and 5) like having accomplished professional work. 
The feelings about caregiving experiences were 1) stress, 2) lack of confidence, 3) shock, fright and "Why me?", 4) anger, 5) fear, 6) feeling uncomfortable with protection device, 7) sympathy, 8) frustration, 9) excitement and challenge, and 10) pride in themselves. Nurses provided care based on 5 principles, 1) planning before implementing and assigning tasks and duties to team members, 2) maintaining mindfulness without carelessness, 3) following the universal precaution guideline, 4) applying and integrating knowledge and experiences in the care, and 5) doing with care. In addition nurses indicated that there were both negative and positive outcomes of their caregiving experiences. Nurses isolated and also were isolated by their colleagues after taking care of a patient with SARS, however, they felt that they learned to work as a team and gained better understanding about the truth of life and an application of Dhamma to their everyday living. The results of this study should assist nurse administrators in developing better ways of caring for patients with severe acute disease.