An exploration of experiences and needs of novice critical care nurses to embark in the critical care areas

Abstract

AN EXPLORATION OF EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS OF NOVICE CRITICAL CARE NURSES TO EMBARK IN THE CRITICAL CARE AREAS

Introduction: The readiness of novice critical care nurses (NCCN) to perform efficiently has been doubted globally. Studies have reported that novice nurses have issues with their confidence and competence in handling critical patients in ICU. Their lack of confidence and competence may promote more harm to the patient’s condition study aims is to explore the experience of novice critical care nurses while working and to explore the needs that would help to support them to work in critical care areas.

Method: This study was carried out using a general qualitative design. Data were collected through an in-depth interview in exploring NCCN experiences, challenges and needs while working in the critical care setting. Additionally, managers of critical care areas and nursing educators were also interviewed to get information on how these nurses were prepared and expectation towards them when they were assigned to work in critical care areas. They were recruited from a teaching hospital and nursing schools located in East Coast Malaysia. Data were organised and analysed manually using the thematic analysis approach. Finding: A total of 29 participants was recruited in the study. The majority of the participants are Malay, female, and graduated with Diploma in Nursing from Malaysia. The study reported three main themes; (1) Experiences of the NCCN (2) Expectation and perception of the administrator, and (3) Needs of the NCCN before embarking on the critical care area. Themes revealed in the study have proposed that NCCN have minimal exposure thus leading to a lack of confidence to embark in the critical care area.

Conclusion: The empowerment of the NCCN should be taken seriously. Improvement measures in the support programme may be considered to enhance the process. But, the preparations such as the entry requirements of the potential nursing student also need to be reflected. Certainly, that the current support program helps the NCCN to survive, however, improvisation and additional elements may be needed to minimise the negative situation faced by the NCCN. Simulation and improvisation towards the reference sources could be considered to enhance the support program prepared for the NCCN. .

Keywords: junior nurse, needs, support, readiness, critical care area