Areas of conflict in the caring of critically chronic ill children: an interpretative phenomenological study Abstract: Background: Critically chronic ill children are a growing population due to the medical improvement in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). PICU nurses find themselves navigating the complexities between acute and palliative care for these patients, facing various challenges. Aim: This study explored the nurse's experiences in caring for children with critically chronic illnesses in the PICU. Methods: Twelve PICU nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. This qualitative study followed an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Five experiential themes were identified that nurses address in their daily care. These are: supporting developmental care, partnership in interprofessional shared-decision-making, in-depth acknowledgment of the family system, the individual nursing experience, personal leadership and the organizational structure of the working environment in PICU settings. Conclusion: When PICU nurses experience the ability to provide individualized and optimal care to a child with a critically chronic illness, based on family-centered care and within interprofessional decision-making, they develop personal leadership skills which enable the balance within the challenges and complexities of nursing care in this population.
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