Nurses’ Experiences in Caring for Elderly Inpatients in a Medical Center

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses who care for elderly patients in an acute care hospital. Methods: Data were collected using one on one interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The participants were twelve nurses who worked on the wards of a medical center, B city, Korea. Results: Six themes were identified: 'Work pressure', 'Needs for hospital infrastructure for elderly inpatients', 'Ambivalence toward elders', 'Needs for professional nursing practice in care for elderly patients', 'Angry with irresponsible family caregivers', and 'Feels worth in caring for elders'. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a need to expand the number of gerontological nursing personnel and the construction of a hospital infrastructure that would improve the quality of care for elderly patients. More studies are needed to explore the experiences of hospitalized elderly patients and their families.