M C Mackey1, M E Stepans. 1. University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Columbia 29208.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To document women's evaluations of their labor and delivery nurses. DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative study using open-ended, intensive, tape-recorded interviews. SETTING: Postpartum unit of a 400-bed midwestern hospital, except for two interviews in the women's homes. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one Lamaze-prepared, married, multigravidae, aged 21-37 years. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the women evaluated their nurses favorably, 10% unfavorably. Nurses were evaluated favorably because of their positive participation (80%), acceptance (78%), information giving (75%), encouragement (65%), presence (53%), and competence (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Although technical competence is important, manner, provision of supportive care, and acceptance of each woman as a unique human being may be a nurse's most important characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: To document women's evaluations of their labor and delivery nurses. DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative study using open-ended, intensive, tape-recorded interviews. SETTING: Postpartum unit of a 400-bed midwestern hospital, except for two interviews in the women's homes. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one Lamaze-prepared, married, multigravidae, aged 21-37 years. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the women evaluated their nurses favorably, 10% unfavorably. Nurses were evaluated favorably because of their positive participation (80%), acceptance (78%), information giving (75%), encouragement (65%), presence (53%), and competence (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Although technical competence is important, manner, provision of supportive care, and acceptance of each woman as a unique human being may be a nurse's most important characteristics.