Intensive care units nurses’ perceptions of family quality time: A qualitative study
Abstract
Background & Aim: Long working hours and job demands in intensive care units can compromise family quality time for nurses, leading to burnout, higher turnover, and safety risks. Conversely, nurses who maintain meaningful family time are more likely to achieve work-life balance and job satisfaction, which enhances the quality of patient care. This study aimed to describe the meaning of family quality time for ICU nurses, identify how ICU work influences this time, and explore its impact on the care they provide. This is an important issue in the nursing field.
Methods & Materials: An interpretive description methodology was used. Using purposive sampling, 10 intensive care unit nurses from regional hospitals participated in semi-structured Zoom® interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and strategies to support rigor included memorizing notes, an audit trail, and end-of-interview debriefing.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data of this study: Family Quality-Time: The Essential Anchor for Emotional Well-Being, Support, and Connection; Work-Related Stress: The Destructive Twister Compromising Family Time; Inadequate Family Time: The Repercussions of Exhaustion, Fatigue, and Sleep Deprivation; and The Transformative Power of Family Time on Nurses' Performance.
Conclusion: The study underscores the significance of family quality time for intensive care nurses, emphasizing its impact on their well-being and job performance. Its findings can aid nursing educators and practitioners in recognizing the necessity of fostering family connections.
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| Issue | Articles in Press | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| critical care nursing intensive care nursing family relations social support occupational stress | ||
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