Critical Nurses’ Views And Experiences Of Caring Unconscious Patients: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Nurses who care for patients in critical rooms, especially unconscious patients, feel greater pressure and burden of responsibility when caring for patients. This study further explores the nurses’ perceptions as 24-hour care providers for unconscious patients and their experiences observing patients and     family interactions during the critical phase of unconsciousness.  Data were collected with  Descriptive Qualitative Research Approach through a focus group discussion process consisting of 12 critical care nurses as participants. The results show four main themes and seven subthemes, including the nurses’ responses when they first met unconscious patients, family involvement in patient care, the role of family stimulation activities, and the patient’s responses when they woke up.  This study concludes that nurses attempt to function effectively according to the nursing process procedures, although psychologically, they experience stress when caring for unconscious patients, and active family involvement s essential to support and enhance the patient’s recovery process. Furthermore, critical nurses need to get interventions for  solving  their psychological problems and the need to actively involve families in the care of unconscious patients.