A hermeneutic–phenomenological study of paediatric intensive care unit nurses' professional identity following hospital redesign: Lessons learned for managers. (27th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frechette, Julie; Bitzas, Vasiliki; Kilpatrick, Kelley; Aubry, Monique; Lavoie‐Tremblay, Mélanie
• Is Part Of: Journal of nursing management. Volume 28:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 872
• Page End: 880
• Publication Date: 2020-04-27
• Subjects: hermeneutics -- intensive care units—paediatric -- nurse administrators -- organisational innovation -- social identification; Nursing services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Nursing services -- Business management -- Periodicals; 610.73068
• DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0429

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To provide insights for health care managers by exploring paediatric intensive care unit nurses' lived experience of professional identity in the context of organisational change. Background: While professional identity improves retention of nurses and provision of quality care, outcomes of importance for managers, organisational change perturbs this identity. Method: The study used a hermeneutic–phenomenological design. Data were collected via individual interviews, photographs, participant observation and document review. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit paediatric intensive care unit nurses ( n = 15) in a large Canadian paediatric hospital. Results: Nurses' critical care identity eroded in this organisation due to the interplay between hospital redesign and new eligibility criteria for patient admissions. Conclusion: Interactions between multiple projects and the unit context, as well as nursing professional identity, need to be considered early on during project planning. This study fills an important gap in research concerning the management challenges brought about by the intersection of multiple changes. Implications for Nursing Management: The results from this study bring to light three important lessons for nurse managers: 1) the specific unit context should be evaluated before a project is initiated; 2) the physical environment needs to be considered when determining staffing requirements; and 3) identity transitions need to be managed.