Monir Nobahar - Semnan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Care is the basis and foundation of nursing. In the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), rescuing patients in critical conditions depends on the nursing care process. The aim of this study was the exploration of the nursing care process in the CICU. Method: This study was conducted using the qualitative research method of grounded theory. Sampling was begun purposefully and gradually continued, according to the obtained codes and categories, using theoretical sampling until data saturation. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, observations, and field notes. In this study, interviews were conducted with ۱۵ nurses, ۳ physician, ۳ patients, and ۲ relatives of patients in Semnan Fatemieh Hospital in ۲۰۱۲-۲۰۱۳. The time duration of interviews was between ۴۰ to ۹۰ minutes. Interviews were digitally recorded and immediately transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed simultaneously to data collection using the constant comparative analysis method of Strauss and Corbin. The accuracy and rigor of the study were confirmed using the criteria of Lincoln and Guba. Results: In the present study, ۳۲۳۵ primary codes, ۲۲ primary categories, and ۶ categories in the nursing care process were extracted. The categories include "threatening patient’s life ", "low attention to nurses’ professional identity", "nursing competence", "undesirable professional communications", "stressful environment", and "adequacy/inadequacy". Each of these categories contained subcategories with specific characteristics. Conclusion: The results show that the nursing care process in the CICU is a correlated, dynamic, and complex concept continually influenced by factors effective on care. On the one hand, life-threatening conditions of patients, and the other hand, environment, working conditions, communication, and competence of nurses are effective on the patient care process in the CICU..

Nursing, nursing care, Cardiac intensive care unit, Grounded theory