Work

Dilemmas and strategies in the working experience of resident training nurses rotated in the intensive care unit: a qualitative study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In high-pressure environments such as intensive care units (ICUs), newly graduated nurses often experience heightened transition shock during role adaptation, which increases the risk of burnout and turnover. Consequently, facilitating a smooth transition for nurses during their ICU rotations is a persistent challenge for nursing managers and educators. AIM: The purpose is to explore the dilemmas and strategies perceived by resident training nurses during their ICU rotation work. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted. Nineteen resident training nurses who rotated in the ICU were recruited. Face-to-face interviews, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis were utilized to analyze the data. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified: (1) Experiencing Overwhelming Work Tasks; (2) Experiencing a Fast-Paced Working Pattern; (3) Experiencing a Strained Working Atmosphere; and (4) Experiencing a Generalized Teaching Program. The subthemes of each theme reflect the unique nature of ICU work as perceived by the rotating nurses, corresponding to their perceptions of specific work dilemmas and the strategies they have derived. CONCLUSIONS: The resident training nurses experienced a complex journey of disorientation and adaptation during their ICU rotation. This can be attributed to overwhelming work tasks, fast-paced work patterns, strained work atmospheres, and generalized teaching programs. Nursing managers and educators need to optimize the teaching system for resident training nurses rotated in the ICU and enhance the humanistic care mechanisms for nurses at the organizational level.

Source: BMC Nursing

DOI: 10.1186/s12912-025-03954-5