Purpose: To thoroughly describe 1) the stressors experienced by nurses during the firstwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the extent to which experiencing these stressorsaffected nurses’ psychological and physical health and 3) the health resources nurses usedto protect and maintain their psychological and physical health during this period.Method: We used a theory-driven descriptive qualitative design and conducted seven focusgroups of 2–5 nurses (total = 23 nurses) distinguished by their degree of contact with COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Switzerland.Results: A thematic analysis identified three main themes and their respective sub-themes: 1)Lived experiences and stressors (Living in a strange world; Hard work alone behind closeddoors; Contaminating or being contaminated; Living at home behind closed doors; A war ofattrition after the first wave); 2) Health (Everything is fine; Multiple traumas; Stress; Long-termexhaustion); 3) Resources (Societal and institutional resources; Direct relational resources;Resources specific to individuals).Conclusions: All the nurses interviewed had been ceaselessly and intensely exposed tostressors in their professional and private lives. However, the repercussions of these stressorson their mental or physical health differed. Indeed, some nurses reported having usedresources to protect and maintain their health.