Critical care nurses' lived experiences of caring

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Phenomenology
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Caring is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice.
• Understanding the lived experience of caring in critical care settings is essential for improving patient outcomes.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the structural components of caring as experienced by critical care nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate the fundamental structure of caring as lived by critical care nurses.
• To explore the subprocesses involved in the caring process.
• To identify the origins and outcomes of caring in critical care.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological research method (Colaizzi) and dialogue technique (Diekelmann) were employed.
• Interviews were conducted in the home setting of each nurse.
• An availability sample of 15 female critical care registered nurses from six metropolitan hospitals in the Southwest was recruited.

Main Results:

• Caring was identified as a process composed of four subprocesses: affective, cognitive, action, and outcome.
• The caring process originates from the nurse's feelings and knowledge.
• Competent actions, stemming from the caring process, contribute to positive patient, family, and nurse outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The findings enhance the understanding of the caring process in critical care nursing.
• Further examination of the decision-making process is recommended to identify affective and nurse outcome subprocesses.
• This study provides a foundational structure for caring, applicable to critical care nursing practice and education.