Emergency nurses' experience of crisis: A qualitative study

A crisis is an environment created in a rapidly changing and chaotic work setting which is found in a busy emergency department of a hospital with higher intensity. The objective of this study was to define and explore emergency room nurses' description of crisis in critical situations and to identify barriers and mitigating factors that affect how nurses handle crises.

This study is a qualitative research with a content analysis approach. Eighteen emergency nurses were purposefully selected to take part in this study. Data collection was through face-to-face semistructured interviews until data saturation was finalized. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis.

The data analysis consisted of four main categories: (i) loss of balance; (ii) crisis control (anticipation-preparation, resource control, control skills, and supporting nurses); (iii) human factors related to staff (sufficient staff, competent staff, individual characteristics, ability to communicate); and (iv) teamwork (cooperation and reciprocal trust).

Findings showed the meaning of the crisis and challenges and issues faced by emergency nurses throughout the crisis. Health services authorities can use these results to make comprehensive plans in order to reduce emergency crises.