The nurses’ experience in caring for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit of an academic hospital in Gauteng
Date
2021
Authors
Mbachu, Judith Nkeiruka
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Abstract
Aim: This study explored and described the experiences of nurses caring for
patients mechanically ventilated in intensive care units of the academic hospitals in
Johannesburg
Method: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design was used in this study. A
purposive sample of 10 intensive care nurses were recruited from a total of
participants (intensive care nurses) recruited from the total population of (n =31)
nurses working in the two ICUs of an academic hospital in Gauteng. Data was
collected using one open-ended question and followed by probes. Data was
analysed using Clark and Braun’s (2013 method of thematic analysis and findings
were reported in the narrative.
Findings: From the findings of the study, three themes emerged during the analysis
process which reflected the nurses’ experience of caring for mechanically ventilated
patients which include nurses’ feelings and emotions, nurses’ knowledge and
experience and nurses’ skills. In this study, the nurses’ feelings were expressed by
the participants through compassionate care and requirement to ensure the patient
was comfortable and pain-free. The nurses’ knowledge and experience included
technical knowledge, knowledge and professional experience. Categories
supporting knowledge and professional experience were expressed as knowing the
patient, caring for family, technical knowledge, prioritising time for caring
interventions and managing critical situations. The nurses’ skills included nurse patient interaction, physical care, supportive care and barriers that impede the
delivery of effective caring for mechanically ventilated patients.
Conclusion: The study offered South African nurses’ in intensive care an
opportunity to share their experiences of caring for mechanically ventilated patients.
Insight and a deeper understanding of the nature of nurses’ caring is provided that
will enable future research in this area for development. Recommendations are
made for clinical practice, education and further research.
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Nursing to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021