The Lived Experience of Waiting

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to discover the structure of the lived experience of waiting and to generate new knowledge about health and quality of life. The participants in this study were 11 persons who were on a waiting list for a lung transplant. The Parse research method was used to answer the research question: What is the structure of the lived experience of waiting? The central finding of this study was: The lived experience of waiting is arduous constraint arising with anticipating the cherished in fortifying engagements. This finding illustrates waiting as an immensely difficult and agonizing experience of persistently expecting a prized opportunity, finding strength in being with other persons, and engaging in diverse activities. The findings are discussed in relation to nursing knowledge and as to how they inform future research and humanbecoming patient-centered nursing practices.