The Junior Emergency Nurses' Psychological Experiences in Recognizing and Responding to Clinical Deterioration of...

Managing clinical deterioration in emergency departments is a critical aspect of patient safety. Junior nurses often face psychological challenges owing to their limited experience and the high-pressure environment, which can affect their performance and professional growth. Understanding these psychological experiences is essential for developing targeted support strategies. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of junior emergency nurses in recognizing and responding to clinical deterioration.

A qualitative descriptive design was used, using semistructured interviews with 18 junior emergency nurses recruited via purposive sampling. A conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data. The study results were explained within the framework of Benner's theory.

Three phases of psychological experiences were identified: the initiation phase (characterized by stress, fear, and anxiety and reliance on protocols and mentorship), the adaptation phase (marked by early pattern recognition and anticipation, collaborative judgment and peer learning, and building confidence through repetition), and the growth phase (defined by increasing independence and proactive clinical leadership, reflection and learning, and developing resilience). Junior emergency nurses' negative psychological experiences decreased over time, whereas their positive experiences and professional competencies improved with increasing clinical exposure.

This study highlights the evolving psychological needs of junior emergency nurses during their professional development. Tailored support strategies, including nurse residency programs, mentorship, simulation-based training, teamwork enhancement, leadership development, reflective practice, and resilience building, are crucial to foster confidence and competence in managing clinical deterioration. These findings provide valuable insights for nursing educators and managers to improve training and support programs, ultimately enhancing patient safety and care quality.