Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of the ICU nurses caring for patients and their families during the dying process and to help them define the meaning of these experiences.
Methods: A narrative inquiry was conducted for ten ICU nurses in a southern Taiwan medical center. A semi-structure interview guide was used for collecting data during the interview.
Results: Results from this study show five main experiences: 1) "Seeing the suffering and feeling reluctant"- the ICU nurses saw the suffering of the patients and families during the aggressive treatment procedures. They feel reluctant and are moved to provide better care for the dying patients. 2) "Being there to accompany the dying, bringing peace and relief " - the ICU nurses wish they can provide more emotional and spiritual care for the patients and families. 3) "Feeling conflict, struggle and exhaustion" - The ICU nurses felt emotional conflict, struggle, powerlessness and exhaustion during the caring process. 4) "Having a positive attitude and reorganizing life" - After the feeling of depression, self-reflection helped the ICU nurses change their attitudes and reorganize their lives. 5) "Getting support and looking to the future" - There was a lot of support from colleagues and relatives which helped the ICU nurses get power to look to the future.
Conclusion: From presenting the stories of ICU nurses in context, their experiences can be heard, providing information for the improvement of education, administration and support systems in the future.
Sigma Membership
Unknown
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
ICU Nurses, Dying Process, Patients
Recommended Citation
Hsu, Fang-Yu and Ko, Nai-Ying, "Narratives of the ICU nurses caring for patients and families during the dying process in Taiwan" (2012). INRC (Congress). 189.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2012/presentations_2012/189
Conference Name
23rd International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Brisbane, Australia
Conference Year
2012
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Narratives of the ICU nurses caring for patients and families during the dying process in Taiwan
Brisbane, Australia
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of the ICU nurses caring for patients and their families during the dying process and to help them define the meaning of these experiences.
Methods: A narrative inquiry was conducted for ten ICU nurses in a southern Taiwan medical center. A semi-structure interview guide was used for collecting data during the interview.
Results: Results from this study show five main experiences: 1) "Seeing the suffering and feeling reluctant"- the ICU nurses saw the suffering of the patients and families during the aggressive treatment procedures. They feel reluctant and are moved to provide better care for the dying patients. 2) "Being there to accompany the dying, bringing peace and relief " - the ICU nurses wish they can provide more emotional and spiritual care for the patients and families. 3) "Feeling conflict, struggle and exhaustion" - The ICU nurses felt emotional conflict, struggle, powerlessness and exhaustion during the caring process. 4) "Having a positive attitude and reorganizing life" - After the feeling of depression, self-reflection helped the ICU nurses change their attitudes and reorganize their lives. 5) "Getting support and looking to the future" - There was a lot of support from colleagues and relatives which helped the ICU nurses get power to look to the future.
Conclusion: From presenting the stories of ICU nurses in context, their experiences can be heard, providing information for the improvement of education, administration and support systems in the future.