Voices from the ‘resus room': An integrative review of the resuscitation experiences of nurses

Abstract

Background Nurses are often the first responders to resuscitations. Understanding their experiences of resuscitation will highlight the resuscitative context nurses work within and identify the conditions that support or hamper their delivery of safe and effective resuscitative care. Aim The aim of this integrative review is to develop an understanding of nurses' experience of resuscitation, to gain knowledge of their challenges and identify gaps in evidence. Design Integrative review. Methods The electronic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched from 2000–2021. Methodological quality of the papers was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist was used to guide and report the integrative review. Results Eleven articles met criteria for review. Four themes arose from the literature that addressed nurses experiences of resuscitation: Chaos (external/internal), ethical dilemmas, clinical confidence and need for support. Conclusion Nurses' experiences of resuscitation are multifaceted. Addressing the challenges that nurses experience during resuscitation will help ensure that nurses' are supported in their professional growth and personal well‐being. Relevance to clinical practice and research: Building nursing leadership capacity within resuscitations is an area of clinical practice/research that is gaining traction as a valid solution to address the challenges nurses experience during resuscitations. Whilst the barriers to debriefing requires a greater level of consideration within the workplace.

Exploring the Feelings of Nurses during Resuscitation—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The literature recognizes that resuscitation efforts are highly stressful events for all health professionals, but only a little information is known about how nurses experience these situations [ 25 ]. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) causes significant stress for the rescuers which may cause deficiencies in attention and increase distractibility.…”

“…Nurses are generally the first responders to a cardiac arrest and initiate basic life support while waiting for the advanced cardiac life support team to arrive. The speed and competence of the first responder are determinants contributing to the initial survival of a person following a cardiac arrest [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The involvement of nurses in resuscitation cases can create a unique heightened level of psychological stress referred to as post-code stress, activation of coping behaviors and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).…”

Observing resuscitative practice. A novice researcher’s experience of obtaining ethics approval

“… 21 In order to improve health disparities, we must first understand how rural nurses’ experience and practice these more complex clinical/professional skills needed for resuscitation in an environment with minimal medical support. 22 This study aimed to address this specific need, and highlight the barriers and enablers rural nurses encounter when providing resuscitative care.…”

Effects of Prebriefing Using Online Team-Based Learning in Advanced Life Support Education for Nurses

“…If high-quality ALS is not performed, it can negatively affect patient outcomes and survival rates 2 . Barriers to nurses obtaining optimal ALS competency include knowledge deficits, inexperience, lack of self-confidence, and lack of training opportunities 3,4 . Advanced life support education for healthcare professionals can affect quality of care and patient outcomes among adult patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest 5 .…”

“…2 Barriers to nurses obtaining optimal ALS competency include knowledge deficits, inexperience, lack of self-confidence, and lack of training opportunities. 3,4 Advanced life support education for healthcare professionals can affect quality of care and patient outcomes among adult patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest. 5 However, the best strategy in ALS education for achieving intended learning outcomes is yet to be established.…”