FINAL BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 2019

School of Nursing and Midwifery Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

Integrity Eroding: A Grounded Theory of Acute Hospital Nursing; Part 2

Author(s) Dr Aoife Lane Affiliation(s) Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit. HSE South(Cork/Kerry) Abstract

Background: There is evidence of missed nursing care (Kalisch et al. 2011, Papastavrou et al. 2016, Ball et al. 2018), rationed nursing care (Schubert et al. 2013, Ausserhofer et al. 2013) and of poor patient outcomes (Francis 2013, Kang et al. 2016) in acute hospitals. This study was prompted by the concern that nurses in acute hospitals are not basing their daily activities primarily on the nursing requirements of their patients. Aim: To explore the main influences on the work of clinical nurses in acute care settings. Methods: A Classic Grounded Theory (GT) methodology was used. The sample comprised experienced acute care nurses (n=24) from a large tertiary hospital. Theoretical sampling and the constant comparison method of data analysis were used in accordance with GT methodology. Results: The theory of nebulous intentioning explains how clinical nurses in acute care resolve their main problem which is the perennial deferral of core nursing care. This paper explains the second of its two sub-core categories; integrity eroding. Nurses in acute care repeatedly deprioritize their core nursing work as a result of accommodating ; undertaking multiple professionally undifferentiated activities which ensure safe, cohesive patient care from the whole MDT, and integrity eroding ; undermining the importance of nursing compared to the work of other health professionals Conclusion : Integrity eroding contributes to nurses’ willingness to engage in accommodating activities at the expense of nursing activities. This theory contributes to the understanding of findings from studies in the areas of missed and rationed nursing care.

Newly Qualified Nurses: Support and Learning Needs during the Transition Period

Author(s)

Ms. Sarah Cullinan, Third Year General Nursing Student, Department of Nursing and Health Care, Waterford Institute of Technology Ms. Orla Kavanagh, Interim Director of Nursing, University Hospital Waterford. Dr. Martina Gooney, Department of nursing and Health Care, Waterford Institute of Technology Dr. Sara Kennedy, Head of Department of Nursing and Health Care, Waterford Institute of Technology

Affiliation(s) Waterford Institute of technology Abstract

Background: Every nurse has transitioned from student to staff nurse. This transitional period can be fraught with stress when dealing with the challenges of the busy healthcare environment. Research suggests that the provision of emotional supports could positively impact retention and attrition while also improving

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