Abstract
AIM: To discover some of the means by which nurses let older people know that they sense their suffering and are willing to try to relieve or at least reduce it. METHOD: A purposive sample of seven nurses employed in long-term care in Canada was recruited by network sampling. Data from unstructured interviews and participant observations were analysed and themes identified. FINDINGS: The overarching theme identified was attention to the essential ordinary, with two sub-themes being 'attention to the little things' and 'keeping the promise to never abandon'. CONCLUSION: Paying attention to the little things, and the resulting patient-centred approach that this care provided, seemed to send a message to patients that they had value. When nurses were able to enhance the esteem needs of patients in this way they also found meaning in their work and a sense of professional fulfilment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 14-21; quiz 22 |
Journal | Nursing older people |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul. 2009 |