Novice nurses' perceptions of acute situations - A phenomenographic study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Nurses face increasing patient complexity and acuity.
• Novice nurses may lack preparedness for critical patient care scenarios.
• Managing acute situations is vital for preventing adverse events and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe novice nurses' perceptions of acute patient situations.
• To identify the defining characteristics of acute situations from the perspective of early-career nurses.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, descriptive study utilizing a phenomenographic approach.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with twelve novice nurses (less than one year of experience).

Main Results:

• Acute situations are characterized by sudden onset, time constraints, and feelings of insufficient competence.
• Nurses experience significant responsibility during acute events.
• These situations encompass patient health decline, interpersonal conflicts, and organizational system failures.

Conclusions:

• Novice nurses' perception of acute situations extends beyond purely medical patient factors.
• Interpersonal dynamics and relationships are perceived as critical components in managing acute care scenarios.