Abstract
Aim:
To disseminate the findings of a study concerning the conditions of significance for nurses during patient transition from the intensive care unit to the general ward.
Background:
The transition from the intensive care unit to the general ward can be troublesome for some patients and cause relocation stress. Studies on this phenomenon suggest that the nurse handover plays a significant role in how the patients experience their transition. The conditions that affect the nurses' focus during relocation are however unclear.
Methods:
A hermeneutic interpretation of four qualitative interviews with four nurses from an intensive care unit and general ward. As a context for understanding, the interpretation was performed using elected data from the nurses' working conditions.
Results:
The extent of the individual nurse's experience affects her choices in the handover situation and her perception of the patients' feeling of insecurity. The nurses' perception of complexity is influenced by her contextual conditions.
Conclusion:
Experience and complexity characterize the focus and priorities of the nurse during the transition of a patient.