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Four Es of caring in contemporary nursing: Exploring novice to experienced nurses
Fiona Wing Ki Tang1, Gigi Cheuk Chi Ling1, Adela Shuet Fun Lai1
1The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Abstract:
Caring seems to be undervalued in the technologically-advanced and fast-paced clinical environment. To improve nursing practice, it is important to understand the meanings of caring to nurses. The aim of the present study was to explore nurses' perspectives of caring in the contemporary clinical environment. A focus group exploration was employed. Multiple perspectives were elicited from 80 nurses with different backgrounds: nursing students, nurse educators, registered nurses, advanced clinical nurses, and nurse executives. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Nurses' understanding of caring could be described using four Es: engaging in reciprocal relationships, embracing the essence of caring, engendering instances of caring, and embodying caring in practice. Participants described nurses as having the dual roles of caregiver and care recipient. The centrality of caring in nursing and the necessity of caring for caregivers were emphasized. The nurses also described various caring behaviors in daily practice. The present study revealed that nurses need empowerment to sustain their compassion. The findings provide new insights, which indicate that the revitalization of nurses' passion for caring in the contemporary clinical environment should begin with caring for caregivers.
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