Work Experiences Among Infection Control Link Nurses in ICUs: A Qualitative Study

Background: ICU infection control link nurses play a vital role in preventing healthcare-associated infections. However, a few studies have focused on their experiences, problems, and additional needs in this role. Objectives: To explore the work experience of ICU infection control link nurses. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research approach using descriptive phenomenology. Between July and September 2024, 12 ICU infection control link nurses were recruited from 12 hospitals in Chongqing, China, through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Semistructured interviews were conducted with these participants. Interview data were analyzed using the Colaizzi method. Results: The work experiences of ICU infection control link nurses can be summarized into 3 themes and 11 subthemes: role cognition and growth (role perception, role identity, and enhancement of personal abilities); perceptions of clinical practice (questioning and affirmation of professional recognition, emergence and resolution of burnout, teamwork issues and improvement measures, insufficient priority of quality control, and unsolvable problems); and work demands (systematic training, hospital support, and qualification recognition and career development). Conclusions: ICU infection control link nurses, serving as the intermediary hub between the intensive care unit and the infection control team, juggling dual responsibilities, are challenging and require a variety of information and support. Implications for Nursing Management: Hospital administrators should understand infection control link nurses' work experiences to implement targeted interventions promoting their work adaptation and motivation, thus reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections.