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Newly qualified professional nurses' experiences providing postoperative care to children in CTICU
Thereza M Mehlape1, Sidwell Matlala
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg. therezamehlape01@gmail.com.
Insights
Newly qualified nurses face challenges caring for pediatric cardiac surgery patients due to insufficient knowledge and skills. Mentorship and a supportive environment are crucial for improving care and patient safety in cardiothoracic critical care units.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiothoracic Critical Care Nursing
- Nursing Education and Practice
Background:
- Newly qualified professional nurses (NQPNs) often lack the necessary knowledge, experience, and skills to care for children with congenital heart abnormalities post-cardiac surgery in cardiothoracic critical care units (CTICUs).
- This knowledge gap can lead to significant challenges in providing adequate care to critically ill pediatric patients in the CTICU setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore, describe, and provide recommendations for supporting NQPNs in delivering postoperative care to pediatric patients in a CTICU.
- To identify key areas for improvement in training, support systems, and work environments for these nurses.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was utilized.
- In-depth individual phenomenological interviews were conducted with 10 NQPNs using purposive sampling.
- Data analysis followed Giorgio's descriptive phenomenological method, adhering to strict trustworthiness and ethical principles.
Main Results:
- NQPNs identified a lack of knowledge and inadequate mentoring as primary challenges in their practice.
- The study highlighted the need for motivation, mentorship, and empowerment to address the difficulties faced by these nurses.
- Perceived challenges significantly impact the nurses' confidence and ability to provide optimal care.
Conclusions:
- A supportive work environment, fostered by encouragement from colleagues, management, and physicians, is essential for NQPNs in CTICUs.
- Insufficient support for NQPNs can negatively affect patient care outcomes and safety, potentially leading to litigation.
- Recommendations are proposed for nursing education, research, and practice to equip NQPNs with the necessary knowledge and skills for pediatric cardiac surgery care, thereby preventing adverse events.
Background:
It is challenging for newly qualified professional nurses (NQPNs) to care for children with congenital heart abnormalities following cardiac surgery in cardiothoracic critical care units. This population of nurses is allocated to critically ill children in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) even though they lack sufficient knowledge, experience and skills to care for these patients.
Objectives:
This study explored, described and made recommendations to support NQPNs who provide postoperative care to children in a CTICU.
Method:
A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Purposive sampling was employed, and in-depth individual phenomenological interviews were conducted with 10 NQPNs. Data were analysed according to Giorgio's descriptive phenomenological method, and measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical principles were followed.
Results:
The NQPNs cited their lack of knowledge and mentoring as the primary contributors to their perceived challenges. This population requires motivation, mentoring and empowerment to address this phenomenon.
Conclusion:
Professional nurses in CTICUs require a supportive work environment, with encouragement from colleagues, management and doctors. A lack of support compromises patient care outcomes and safety, resulting in litigation.Contribution: Recommendations are provided for nursing education, research and practice to empower NQPNs with knowledge and skills to work with children following cardiac surgery to avoid adverse events in the CTICU.
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