Revisiting the Fork in the Road: Exploring the Meaning of Critical Incident Stress Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorTapp, Dianne M.
dc.contributor.authorHarvey, Giuliana
dc.contributor.committeememberVenturato, Lorraine
dc.contributor.committeememberWulff, Dan
dc.date2019-06
dc.date.accessioned2018-12-19T15:54:41Z
dc.date.available2018-12-19T15:54:41Z
dc.date.issued2018-12-18
dc.description.abstractThe nature of registered nurses’ (RNs’) work in the intensive care unit (ICU) places them at risk for encountering work-related critical incident stress. Critical incident stress is a term used to describe the broad and diverse range of responses that occur following a sudden and unexpected event known as a critical incident. Critical incident stress in the context of ICU nurses has been understudied. The purpose of this inquiry was to expand understanding of the meanings of work-related critical incident stress for RNs working with adults in the ICU. This research study was conducted using an interpretive approach based on Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics. Nine ICU RNs were interviewed to gain insight and further understanding of this topic. The interpretations from this work suggested that nurses attempted to cope with critical incident stress by functioning in “autopilot,” altering their ability to critically think and conceal emotions. Critical incident stress was influenced by the perception of judgment from co-workers and by the organizational culture. Participants emphasized the importance of timely crisis interventions tailored and individualized to support those in need of assistance. The concept of co-worker support underpinned by an authentic way of being with another through relating and connecting with team members was one element of crisis intervention considered beneficial. This study highlighted that critical incident stress was transformative in how ICU nurses’ practiced and in their view of nursing. For some participants, transformation took place in the form of an altered professional self-identity. Understanding the experience of critical incident stress in the context of ICU RNs has implications for nurses, the discipline, and the health care system.  en_US
dc.identifier.citationHarvey, G. (2018). Revisiting the Fork in the Road: Exploring the Meaning of Critical Incident Stress Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/35455
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/109373
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisher.facultyNursingen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectcritical incident stressen_US
dc.subjectcritical incident stressen_US
dc.subjecttrauma in nursingen_US
dc.subjectstress in ICU nursingen_US
dc.subject.classificationNursingen_US
dc.titleRevisiting the Fork in the Road: Exploring the Meaning of Critical Incident Stress Among Intensive Care Unit Nursesen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNursingen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ucalgary_2018_harvey_giuliana.pdf
Size:
1.36 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Thesis
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.74 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Open Theses and Dissertations