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Care and compassion: the experiences of newly qualified staff nurses

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  • Dorothy Horsburgh
  • Janis Ross

Abstract

Aims and objectives To explore newly qualified staff nurses' perceptions of compassionate care and factors that facilitate and inhibit its delivery. Background It is known that the transition from student to staff nurse is challenging due to a variety of factors including increased expectations of competence, inadequate staffing levels and eclectic support. Methods A qualitative approach was taken. Data from newly qualified staff nurses (within first year post registration) were collected by focus groups (n = 6, total participants = 42), using a flexible agenda to guide discussion. Data were analysed to locate codes and themes. Results Support for newly qualified staff was eclectic rather than systematic. Participants felt they were ‘flung in at the deep end’ and ‘left to sink or swim’. Some staff were perceived as ‘ingrained in the woodwork’ and resistant to change of even a minor nature, creating an environment of ‘institutionalised negativity’. Clinical supervision was considered a support when available. Compassionate care was a tautology for most participants, that is, care would not be care in the absence of compassion. Compassion as a concept was described frequently with reference to situations in which it was absent. Nursing was ‘more than just a job’, but an occupation in which ‘emotional engagement’ is not only desirable but a prerequisite for provision of high‐quality care. Conclusion Findings indicated a tension between ‘agency’ (the ability of individuals to act) and ‘structure’ (physical, social, managerial and cultural environments within which care takes place). Supportive environments facilitate provision of compassionate care although individuals remain accountable for their own practice. This study adds depth to existing literature about newly qualified staff nurses, with specific reference to compassionate care. Relevance to clinical practice Undergraduate nursing programmes should prepare students for the reality of delivering compassionate care despite competing commitments. Managers of care settings should ensure that a formalised supportive framework is in place for registered nurses throughout their first year of practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorothy Horsburgh & Janis Ross, 2013. "Care and compassion: the experiences of newly qualified staff nurses," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(7-8), pages 1124-1132, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:22:y:2013:i:7-8:p:1124-1132
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12141
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    Cited by:

    1. Pavneet Singh & Shelley Raffin‐Bouchal & Susan McClement & Thomas F Hack & Kelli Stajduhar & Neil A Hagen & Aynharan Sinnarajah & Harvey M Chochinov & Shane Sinclair, 2018. "Healthcare providers’ perspectives on perceived barriers and facilitators of compassion: Results from a grounded theory study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(9-10), pages 2083-2097, May.
    2. Paul Crawford & Brian Brown & Marit Kvangarsnes & Paul Gilbert, 2014. "The design of compassionate care," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(23-24), pages 3589-3599, December.
    3. Viviana Davalos-Batallas & Ana-Magdalena Vargas-Martínez & Patricia Bonilla-Sierra & Fatima Leon-Larios & Maria-de-las-Mercedes Lomas-Campos & Silvia-Libertad Vaca-Gallegos & Rocio de Diego-Cordero, 2020. "Compassionate Engagement and Action in the Education for Health Care Professions: A Cross-Sectional Study at an Ecuadorian University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Joanne Durkin & Kim Usher & Debra Jackson, 2019. "Embodying compassion: A systematic review of the views of nurses and patients," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1380-1392, May.
    5. Siri Lygum Voldbjerg & Rick Wiechula & Erik Elgaard Sørensen & Mette Grønkjær, 2021. "Newly graduated nurses’ socialisation resulting in limiting inquiry and one‐sided use of knowledge sources—An ethnographic study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5-6), pages 701-711, March.
    6. Siri Lygum Voldbjerg & Mette Grønkjær & Rick Wiechula & Erik Elgaard Sørensen, 2017. "Newly graduated nurses’ use of knowledge sources in clinical decision‐making: an ethnographic study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(9-10), pages 1313-1327, May.
    7. Graham McCaffrey & Shelagh McConnell, 2015. "Compassion: a critical review of peer‐reviewed nursing literature," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(19-20), pages 3006-3015, October.
    8. Jacinta Kelly, 2014. "Commentary on Horsburgh D and Ross J (2013) Care and compassion: experiences of newly qualified staff nurses. Journal of Clinical Nursing 22, 1124–1132," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(15-16), pages 2382-2383, August.

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