title: Experiences of nursing patients suffering from trauma - preparing for the unexpected: A qualitative study.
abstract: A midsize hospital in the north of Sweden with a high-tech intensive care unit and space for up to 10 patients, with an attached postoperative ward for up to 15 patients. The wards are manned by critical care nurses who are also responsible for carrying a trauma pager. When the alarm goes off, the critical care nurse leaves her/his duties and joins a trauma team. The aim of the study was to describe critical care nurse's experiences of nursing patients suffering from trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with 15 critical care nurses analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One theme: Preparing for the unexpected with four subthemes: (1) Feeling competent, but sometimes inadequate; (2) Feeling unsatisfied with the care environment; (3) Feeling satisfied with well-functioning communication; and (4) Feeling a need to reflect when affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nursing trauma patients require critical care nurses to be prepared for the unexpected. Two aspects of trauma care must be improved in order to fully address the challenges it poses: First, formal preparation and adequate resources must be invested to ensure delivery of quality trauma care. Secondly, follow-ups are needed to evaluate care measures and to give members of the trauma team the opportunity to address feelings of distress or concern.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden. Electronic address: linda.1.sandstrom@ltu.se.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandström
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juuso
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Åsa
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Engström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013548:Sweden; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Critical care nurses; Experience; Nursing; Qualitative content analysis; Trauma call; Trauma care