Nurses and donors view on the problematics of blood donation

The main aim of this thesis is to map the issue of blood donation from the perspective of nurses and donors. The theoretical part is focused on issues related to blood donation. The criteria which the donor must comply are described, as well as the benefits provided to blood donors, the types of donations and the complications of the donations. There is also a description of blood donation from the viewpoint of both donors and nurses. The research is focused on motivating and demotivating factors connected with blood donation, complications associated with blood collection and an overall view of the blood donation process by both donors and nurses. The empirical part of the thesis is elaborated by means of a qualitative research which is carried out by the technique of semi-structured interview. The interviews are conducted by blood donors and nurses working at the Blood Donor Station in one of the South Bohemian hospitals. The research achieved lots of results. According to the findings, the main motivation of the interviewed donors was a selfless help to another person. On the contrary, demotivating factors of the donators were lack of time and fear of potential complications. Another outcome of the research pointed to donor satisfaction with nursing care and the approach of nurses at the blood donor station in general. On the other hand, the perspective of the nurses was mapped too. The main finding from their point of view was the communication with donors which appeared as the most difficult action of the whole blood donation process. Following the results from nurses, the most frequent complication connected with blood donation are an overall nausea, collapse and haematoma. The work provides an overview of blood donation. The output is information material for potential blood donors