Nursing Commons^™

Bystanders’ Perspectives On The Provision Of Informal, Hospital-Based Care To Bedridden Patients With Cancer In Sri Lanka, B. Sunil S. De Silva

Nursing ETDs

Due to the nursing shortage in Sri Lanka, patients need informal caregivers, known as bystanders, to help provide patient care. This study described bystanders’ perspectives on informal, hospital-based care to bedridden patients with cancer in Sri Lanka. In this qualitative descriptive study, 17 bystanders at Apeksa/Cancer Hospital, Sri Lanka, were recruited using snowballing sampling. Data were collected through telephone interviews and analyzed using content and thematic analyses. Findings showed that paid and unpaid bystanders cover all caregiving tasks with minimum interaction with nurses. Unpaid bystanders described the need for same-sex bystanders and additional help with patients’ mobilization and specialized care. …

An Autoethnography Of A Registered Nurse Living With Chronic Undiagnosed Illness, Frances M. Ricker

Nursing ETDs

Abstract

This autoethnographic study examines a registered nurse’s experience living with chronic undiagnosed illness. The number living with undiagnosed illness is unknown and little is understood about living with chronic undiagnosed illness.

This analytic autoethnography (Anderson, 2006) used multiple data sources: my journal, medical history narrative, and artifacts including my handwork, examples of my father’s handwriting, and family photographs. Narrative analysis, thematic analysis, and visual analysis were conducted.

My experience of living with chronic undiagnosed illness was characterized by three themes that reinforced isolation: not knowing, loss, and hidden secret self. Family context evidenced diverse themes of not being believed, …