Describing nurses’ perceptions of caring and uncaring nursing encounters in inpatient rehabilitation settings in South Africa: A qualitative study

This study describes the nurses’ perceptions of caring and uncaring nursing encounters in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Twenty-one nurses (enrolled and professional) participated in the study. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis to uncover the manifest content. Caring nursing encounters were “keeping their hope alive” and “going the extra mile”, while uncaring nursing encounters were “frustration with patients”, “not doing enough” and “ignoring”. Caring nursing encounters promoted positive care experiences to the rehabilitation patient, easing their burdensome rehabilitation journey. Uncaring nursing encounters on the other hand elicited strong negative emotions to the rehabilitation patient, giving patients feelings of being denied compassionate care. Nurses need to strive to be exemplars of compassionate care by developing a sense of responsibility for patient care needs and by embracing the challenges they encounter when caring for patients in the ever-changing inpatient rehabilitation environment.
Source: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences - Category: African Health Source Type: research