title: Intimate partner violence: advanced practice nurses clinical stories of success and challenge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This qualitative study presents knowledge from clinical experiences of advanced practice nurses (APNs) working with women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face interviews were conducted with ten APNs to discover their ways of being with, supporting, and helping women who have experienced IPV. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. Analysis proceeded from whole to parts and back to whole with ongoing attention to maintaining the situational context to guide interpretation of meanings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APNs experience both challenges and successes in caring for women who live with IPV. Findings consist of interpretations of clinical stories to uncover knowledge embedded in practice. Healing practices and ways of being survival facilitators for women and children are identified and described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APNs are in a unique position to help families who live with abuse, but may lack resources and knowledge about the most effective interventions. They may become cynical and frustrated with feelings of futility when faced with the repeating patterns associated with the cycle of violence. The goals of this study are to promote more comprehensive understanding of IPV and stimulate changes in education, practice, research, and health policy.
authors.affiliation: UTMB School of Nursing, Galveston, Texas 77555-1029, USA. kbrykczy@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brykczynski
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Cindy K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pedraza
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological