•COVID-19 pandemic caused crucial changes in work and personal life of healthcare providers.•The impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on work and personal life of healthcare providers life of healthcare providers is unknown.•Working in the pandemic era is a unique experience that may happen in the working life of every healthcare provider.•Along with providing protective devices and financial support for healthcare workers, it is essential to take into account their mental health status.•In site consulting and providing personalized mental care for the personnel is necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide and has placed healthcare providers under immense physiological and psychological pressures. The aim of current study was to undertake an in-depth exploration of the experiences of health-care staff working during the COVID-19 crisis. Using a thematic analysis approach, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 97 health care professionals. Participants were health care professionals including pre-hospital emergency services (EMS), physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, radiology technicians, hospital managers and managers in the ministry of health who work directly or indirectly with COVID-19 cases. Data analysis highlighted four main themes, namely: ‘Working in the pandemic era’, ‘Changes in personal life and enhanced negative affect’, ‘Gaining experience, normalization and adaptation to the pandemic’ and ‘Mental Health Considerations’ which indicated that mental ill deteriorations unfolded through a stage-wise process as the pandemic unfolded. Participants experienced a wide range of emotions and development during the unfolding of the pandemic. Providing mental health aid should thus be an essential part of services for healthcare providers during the pandemic. Based on our results the aid should be focused on the various stages and should be individual-centred. Such interventions are crucial to sustain workers in their ability to cope throughout the duration of the pandemic.