Difficulties Experienced by Nurse Managers after Medical Accidents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe and clarify nurse managers' experiences of difficulties after medical accident in which their staff nurses are involved. The participants were thirteen nurse managers. The data were collected at one hospital using 3 focus group interviews. After a qualitative data analysis, 4 categories of the difficulties emerged: confused communication within the organization, dilemma about collaborating with doctors, difficulties for supporting staff nurses to get over the distress and conflict related to medical accidents and facing with excessive demands beyond one's control. These findings suggest that the difficulties experienced by nurse managers reflect issues which the hospital should address to, so it is necessary to improve communication for crisis management within the organization, accept ethical responsibilities for patients and families, and organize a support system for nurse managers which enable them to cope effectively after medical accidents.