Exploring the experiences of the new graduate registered nurse in caring for the deteriorating patient in rural areas

Exploring the experiences of the new graduate registered nurse in caring for the deteriorating patient in rural areas

Care and management of patient deterioration is an integral part of a nurse’s role. Yet, New Graduate Registered Nurses (NGRNs) often feel unprepared to care for the deteriorating patient. Whilst literature has recognised NGRNs working within metropolitan areas feel ill-equipped to care for deteriorating patients, there is paucity in the literature focused on NGRNs experiences within the rural context. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of NGRNs in caring for the deteriorating patient in rural areas. This study employed a qualitative design underpinned by a descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with seven NGRN participants. Data were subjected to thematic analysis with three themes emerging from the data. The first theme Transition to the rural team, illuminates participants’ experiences of their first encounters of patient deterioration and how the small team in rural practice influenced these experiences. The second theme, Practice support for managing deterioration, highlights the importance of support from experienced rural nurses, and the third theme, The road to confidence, reveals participants’ on-going and desire for development within the context of working rurally and the provision of care for the deteriorating patient. Findings of the study highlight the challenges for NGRNs in rural inpatient health services in caring for the deteriorating patient. The findings have implications for tertiary undergraduate education and those supporting NGRNs in their transition to practice in rural areas. Enhancement of NGRNs’ skills and abilities in recognition and responding to patient deterioration through both technological and personnel support has the potential to enhance patient safety within the rural healthcare environment.

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