"Growth From Failure": A Qualitative Study of NICU Nurses' Psychological Experiences Following Failed Neonatal Resuscitation

This study investigated the emotional responses and underlying psychological processes experienced by nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) following unsuccessful neonatal resuscitation.

Nurses, particularly neonatal nurses, experience substantial psychological pressure and multifaceted challenges in the aftermath of resuscitation failure. Although existing literature has examined nurses' emotional responses to neonatal death, a significant gap persists in understanding the distinct psychological experiences of neonatal nurses following unsuccessful resuscitation attempts.

This was a descriptive phenomenological study. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 14 NICU nurses from a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Participants were selected based on their firsthand experiences of neonatal resuscitation failure and participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.

NICU nurses described their personal experiences following failed neonatal resuscitation. Four themes emerged concerning nurses' experiences and growth following resuscitation failure: (1) physical and mental exhaustion; (2) communication challenges; (3) reflection and support needs; and (4) achievements and growth.

This study revealed the complex psychological experiences of NICU nurses following resuscitation failure. These findings highlight opportunities to support nurses' professional growth and improve team culture and care systems. Consequently, establishing a multidimensional support system is important to support nurses involved in neonatal resuscitation.

Nurse managers and hospital administrators should establish a comprehensive, multidimensional support system to improve nursing competencies. This system should prioritize standardized training in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for emergency care, while also strengthening nurses' capacity to provide humanistic care.