Paper
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
587
"Presence and Presents": Experiences of Registered Nurses in Caring for Individuals Who are Suffering
Susan Sweat Gunby, RN, PhD, Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: describe the types of presence utilized by nurses to "be with" those who are suffering. |
| Learning Objective #2: describe the concept of "presents" in the relationship of a nurse and an individual who is suffering. |
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine the types of nursing presence identified in the narratives of registered nurses as they described caring for individuals who were suffering. Also illuminated was the concept of receiving and giving “presents” or “gifts” as an integral part of the relationship of nurses with those who were suffering.
A phenomenological approach was utilized consisting of four iterative steps: purposive sampling, intensive interviewing, inductive data analysis using Giorgi's method, and uncovering the essential structure of the phenomenon.
This study is an extension of the author's previous research on the concept of suffering and experiences of nursing students and registered nurses in caring for suffering individuals.
Participants were asked to describe their experiences related to caring for suffering individuals. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcriptions of the interviews constituted the data for analysis. Data were analyzed utilizing the four-step process delineated by Giorgi. Methodological rigor was established through adherence to Guba and Lincoln’s trustworthiness criteria.
Multiple types of nursing presence were identified. Similar to the ways of “being there” described by others (Osterman & Schwartz-Barcott; Paterson & Zderad, et al.), participants recounted the essence of presence, partial presence, full presence, and transcendent presence. Providing a presence for individuals during times of excruciating suffering meant these nurses were faithful in “being with” these individuals. Participants described presents they received as a result of caring for suffering individuals.
The conclusion was that insight into the concepts of presence and presents is gained primarily through the narratives of nurses. This research is significant to the clinical practice of nursing and to nursing education because it illuminates the multidimensionality of the concept of nursing presence, and how the forms of presence are utilized by nurses in their daily practice of caring for those who are suffering.