The Lived ICU Experiences of Nurses, Patients and Family Members

Critical illness and the admission of a family member to an intensive care unit is an extremely stressful experience that may result in an emotional turmoil, high level of stress, role conflict, interruption of normal home routines, and potential changes in relationships among patients and family members. This phenomenological study explored the lived intensive care unit experiences of nurses, patients and family members during critical illness in the intensive care unit using a purposive sample of five participants from each category. Content analysis of narratives elucidated that the patient's experiences as it relates to finding meaning during critical illness is centered on obtaining support from their families and professionalism from the nurse. Adaptation in the intensive care unit, as experienced by nurses, patients and family members integrates family as a unit, physical care, physiological care and psychosocial support resulting in transformation. Future studies should be done to further explore the patient-family-nurse experience during critical illness in the intensive care unit.