Experiences of newly qualified professional nurses practising caring to patients at an Academic Hospital

Abstract: Newly qualified professional nurses (NQPNs) are ready to practice caring to patients immediately after the completion of training. Practising caring in nursing is the relationship between the patient and the care provider (NQPNs), and the caring involves alleviation of suffering. However, they experience a struggle in balancing between their role and intention to practice holistic caring. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of NQPNs who are practising caring at an academic hospital in order to make recommendations to facilitate practices of caring to patients by NQPNs. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual research design was used. Purposive sampling was done of NQPNs (R425 of 15 February 1985). Data collection entailed in-depth phenomenological interviews, observations and field notes. Giorgi’s method of analysing data was used, and the ethical principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice were valued. Three themes were identified from the results of the study. Participants experienced their practice of caring as a struggle to balance all their responsibilities and their intention to provide holistic care. Participants also experienced having to face overwhelming expectations from different groups in the hospital. Finally, participants experienced new coping mechanisms to deal with challenging situations. It was thus determined that practising caring is an imperative role of NQPNs.M.Cur. (Nursing