Nurses' experiences of caring for children in pain
Aim To describe nurses' experiences when caring for children in pain. Background Earlier studies have shown that nurses are key actors in pain management and that there is a need to focus on the nurses' own experiences of caring for children in pain. Method Semi‐structured interviews we...
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Published in | Child : care, health & development Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 464 - 470 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford, UK
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.07.2012
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Aim To describe nurses' experiences when caring for children in pain.
Background Earlier studies have shown that nurses are key actors in pain management and that there is a need to focus on the nurses' own experiences of caring for children in pain.
Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurses at one paediatric clinic. The data were analysed by means of content analysis.
Results The interviews suggested that when a child's pain followed an expected pattern and they complied with treatment, the nurses trusted their knowledge and felt comfortable. On the other hand, in unpredictable situations the nurses felt fearful, powerless, abandoned and distrustful.
Conclusion The nurses were comfortable in predictable situations, but if a situation was unpredictable, they felt they had lost control over it.
Implications for pain management To reduce feelings of abandonment, work shifts should be organized so that more experienced nurses can work side by side with those who are less experienced. Pain assessment tools and guidelines for pain management should be introduced into the daily work, and systematic reflection should be used for nurses' professional development. |
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Bibliography: | ArticleID:CCH1262 ark:/67375/WNG-HHX0GM72-S istex:0E75C57D301C468BA5933EF8DF2768220B5DD60B ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 0305-1862 1365-2214 1365-2214 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01262.x |