AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore the process of error recovery (ER) by nurses in intensive care unit (ICU).DesignThis qualitative study was conducted in 2018–2020 using the grounded theory methodology.MethodsParticipants were 20 staff nurses, head nurses and nursing managers recruited from the ICUs. Sampling was started purposively and continued theoretically. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and were analysed using the approach proposed by Corbin and Strauss.ResultsThe findings indicated that nurses' primary concern was for the patient and their own personal/professional identity. Five strategies were found including evaluating situation, identifying error, analysing error and situation, determining the agent for error correction, and reducing error effects. Contextual factors were also highlighted as being important in the error recovery. “Attempting to protect self and patient” was the core category of the study. Nurses' concern about protecting patient life and their own personal/professional identity make them use unprofessional approaches for ER.