2025 Volume 45 Pages 227-235
Objective: The objective of this study is to elucidate the feeling of difficulty perceived by nurses in caring for children in ICUs.
Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 nurses recruited as participants in the study who worked in ICUs and had no previous nursing experience with children outside ICUs, and the results analyzed qualitatively applying the inductive approach.
Results: The following feelings of difficulty were identified: [Difficulty in communicating verbally with pediatric patients], [Difficulty with nursing techniques unique to pediatric patients], [There is a susceptibility to physical deteriorate compared to adult patients], [Difficulty in immediately switching perspective from adult patients to pediatric patients], [Care and an environment that keeps pediatric patients calm is not provided], [There are difficulties in supporting parents’ emotional needs] and [There are difficulties in working with pediatricians].
Conclusion: To address these feelings of difficulty, it is beneficial to provide ICU nurses with a certain period of training in pediatric wards and to assign experienced pediatric nurses to ICUs. Additionally, the study indicates that interprofessional collaboration with liaison nurses and clinical psychologists has the potential to enhance support for families of critically ill patients.
