Intensive care experiences of intern nurse students: A qualitative study

• Published in: Nurse education today 2021-12, Vol.107, p.105098-105098, Article 105098
• Main Authors: Özkaya Sağlam, Bilgehan, Sözeri Eser, İzlem, Ayvaz, Sermin, Çağı, Neslihan, Mert, Hatice, Küçükgüçlü, Özlem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambivalence; Educational programs; Experience; Focus groups; Intensive care; Intensive care units; Interviews; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing students; Professional practice; Qualitative research; Selfimprovement; Semi Structured Interviews; Teams; Undergraduate Study
• ISSN: 0260-6917; 1532-2793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105098

This study aimed to describe the experiences of nursing interns in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study was a descriptive qualitative research. The study data were collected via focus group interviews of 25 nursing interns in the two different ICUs of a university hospital who had volunteered to participate in the study. There were four focus group interviews in all, one for each of four different groups of nursing interns. The semi-structured interview form was used in the study. Seven themes emerged in the study: fear, awareness of nurses' roles, finding opportunities for self-improvement, difficulty in caregiving, difficulty in communicating with the patients and the care team, experiencing ambivalent feelings related to death, and adaptation to the clinical environment. Doing one’s internship in the ICU was evaluated by the nursing interns in this study as a beneficial practice despite the difficulties involved in it. It is recommended, that intensive-care practices be included in the undergraduate education program for nurses and that appropriate guidance and monitoring be given to the nursing interns in ICUs. •Seven themes were emerged about intensive care unit experiences of the students.•Intensive care units were defined as educatory environments by the students.•Intensive care units were contributed to the clinical development of the students.•Our study results will be useful in preparing students for the clinical practice.