A process of acquiring a sense of self-growth in ICU nurses in the 3 years after starting to work

Abstract

Aim: To clarify the process by which intensive care unit (ICU) nurses acquire a sense of self-growth in the 3 years after starting to work and understand the support required to acquire and enhance the sense of self-growth. Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with general ICU nurses who had 4 years of experience. The responses were analyzed using the revised grounded theory approach.

Results: The process by which ICU nurses acquire a sense of self-growth comprises the five periods of “doing their best to accomplish daily nursing tasks at the ICU,” “noticing lacks in their own abilities when accomplishing nursing tasks,” “reflecting on themselves and determining directions of change,” “continuing to work hard while encouraging themselves at times,” and “objectively evaluating their own changes resulting from their hard work and perceiving them as positive changes.”

Conclusion: The study showed that ICU nurses became aware of the need for change and growth in terms of their own nursing abilities through their daily nursing duties. Such situations encourage nurses to seek self-improvement through learning-oriented reflection. We expect that support in consideration of this process is necessary while minimizing a psychological burden to promote acquisition of sensory experience of self-growth. Furthermore, the study suggests the importance of providing support that encourages ICU nurses to improve their nursing capabilities, and to recognize a change of nursing capability as my own growth.