Aims: To describe nurses' experiences regarding the care relationship built with medical-surgical patients in acute hospitalization units and the association with their clinical practice.
Background: Nurses' commitment to care and their relationships as well are the core of quality of care. Nurses consider that the emotional commitment is essential to the profession, thus accepting to be exposed to emotional distress.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experience of 23 nurses from seven Spanish hospitals. Taped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to inductive content analysis.
Results: Six subcategories emerged from the data analysis: Fulfilling experiences, Feeling the pain of others, Emotional distress, Stepping back, Seeking professional support, and Evolution of emotions, which were combined in two main categories: Nurses' emotions and Nurses' coping strategies. Patient's suffering, work environment and interprofessional relations influence the care relationship.
Conclusions: Positive and negative emotions emerge spontaneously in professional relationships of experienced nurses. Lack of time and high workloads are factors that hinder the nurse-patient relationship. This care relationship is often the reason that fulfils them. Despite their level of expertise and having coping strategies, these are not always effective and, sometimes, nurses need professional help.
Implications for nursing management: Nurses will continue performing their job with commitment; therefore, nursing managers should take care of their staff and pay attention to the emotional competence related to patients' relationships. Promoting self-care and a good working environment could improve their coping mechanisms.
Keywords: acute hospitalization care; emotional distress; nursing; nursing work; qualitative research.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.