EXPERIENCES OF SELECTED EMERGENCY NURSES ON HANDLING CRITICAL PATIENTS UPON ARRIVAL IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT CABIAO GENERAL HOSPITAL, MEDICS HOSPITAL, DR. GLORIA D. LACSON HOSPITAL IN N

Abstract

The emergency department is considered one of the busiest and most demanding work environments among medical specialties. Nurses assigned to this area experience higher levels of stress due to the urgency and complexity of patient care. Therefore, this study was conducted to gain insight into the experiences of selected emergency nurses in managing critical patients upon arrival in the emergency department, including the effects of these experiences and the coping mechanisms they employ. A phenomenological research approach was utilized to explore the lived experiences of selected emergency nurses from Cabiao General Hospital, Medics Hospital, and Dr. Gloria D. Lacson Hospital. Purposive (judgmental) sampling was employed to select ten participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and audio recordings using mobile phones. The majority of participants reported experiencing both positive and negative aspects of their work environment. Positive experiences included patient recuperation and enjoyment within the workplace, while negative experiences involved the constant influx of patients, difficulty interacting with patients’ families, and understaffing. These challenges often led to occupational stress, emotional numbness, work fatigue, and difficulties in maintaining work-life balance. Despite these challenges, participants also expressed optimism and resilience, drawing comfort from patients’ recovery and relying on support systems to cope with the emotional, mental, and professional demands of their role. The findings indicate that emergency nurses do not allow daily stressors and challenges to interfere with their professional responsibilities. They continue to prioritize patient care while navigating significant workplace demands. Moreover, emergency nurses demonstrate adaptability and resilience by utilizing their cognitive and emotional capacities to manage stressful situations effectively. Their ability to cope with these challenges reflects a strong commitment to their role in providing critical care.