A need for emotional, personal and professional support: Operation room nurses’ experience participating in organ procurement surgical procedures. A qualitative study

Abstract

Participating in organ procurement procedures cause emotional stress and risk of long-lasting health problems. These experiences are rarely discussed in plenary, and research specifically aimed at operating room nurses is limited. The aim of this study was to describe how operating room nurses experience participating in organ procurement surgical procedures. A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design was chosen. The sample consisted of 14 operating room nurses, recruited from The National Transplant Centre, Norway. Data collection was conducted using individual, in-depth interviews. Qualitative inductive manifest content analysis was used. The study is reported according to QUOREC. Four main categories constitute the findings: operating room nurses have experienced emotional and personal impact; they try to handle these emotions using coping strategies; the experiences have promoted professional development; the importance of colleagues, including an open unit culture, is emphasized. Other studies support these findings regarding the impact this surgical procedure has on operating room nurses. This study also emphasizes their need for personal and professional support. Both individual and structural actions are suggested to generate this kind of support. The study may provide a deeper understanding of how participating in the organ procurement process affects those who are involved, and how to facilitate support to them as leader.