Nurses' Experience of Practice in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Purpose: This article aimed to identify nurses' experience of practice in nursing homes. Method: Using phenomenological approach for qualitative research, the participants were 8 nurses who were working at nursing homse in C city. The data was analyzed by using phenomenological methodology by Colaizzi. Results: Five theme clusters were derived from the data. They were: burden (independent decision making in clinical situations, tension of as a multifunctional member); lowered self-esteem (exhaustion, relative self-evaluation is low, comparing with others); conflict (negative image of elderly, communication break with elderly family, monitoring of nursing home staff); worth (slight improvement of elderly health state, trust and recognition, intimacy); and self-reflection (need for knowledge extension, effort towards enhancing virtue, perception of importance in their health management). Conclusion: The results showed that nursing home nurses experienced negative aspects of various nursing practice, suggesting the ways to solve their negative experience.