“Growth From Failure”: A Qualitative Study of NICU Nurses’ Psychological Experiences Following Failed Neonatal Resuscitation
- 1Department of Neonatology Nursing West China Second University Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China scu.edu.cn
- 2Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Sichuan University Ministry of Education Chengdu 610041 China meb.gov.tr
Abstract
Aim: This study investigated the emotional responses and underlying psychological processes experienced by nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) following unsuccessful neonatal resuscitation.
Background: Nurses, particularly neonatal nurses, experience substantial psychological pressure and multifaceted challenges in the aftermath of resuscitation failure. Although existing literature has examined nurses’ emotional responses to neonatal death, a significant gap persists in understanding the distinct psychological experiences of neonatal nurses following unsuccessful resuscitation attempts.
Methods: This was a descriptive phenomenological study. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 14 NICU nurses from a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Participants were selected based on their firsthand experiences of neonatal resuscitation failure and participated in semistructured, face‐to‐face interviews. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven‐step method.
Results: NICU nurses described their personal experiences following failed neonatal resuscitation. Four themes emerged concerning nurses’ experiences and growth following resuscitation failure: (1) physical and mental exhaustion; (2) communication challenges; (3) reflection and support needs; and (4) achievements and growth.
Conclusion: This study revealed the complex psychological experiences of NICU nurses following resuscitation failure. These findings highlight opportunities to support nurses’ professional growth and improve team culture and care systems. Consequently, establishing a multidimensional support system is important to support nurses involved in neonatal resuscitation.
Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse managers and hospital administrators should establish a comprehensive, multidimensional support system to improve nursing competencies. This system should prioritize standardized training in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for emergency care, while also strengthening nurses’ capacity to provide humanistic care.
Related
- Physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences of palliative care in neonatal intensive care units: a qualitative study Conhecimentos e vivência de fisioterapeutas sobre cuidados paliativos em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal: um estudo qualitativo
- Psychological therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations: A qualitative assessment of voice-hearers’ experiences and preferences
- Physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences of palliative care in neonatal intensive care units: a qualitative study
- After the Trip: A Qualitative Study of Healthy Individuals’ Motor Experiences Following Different Doses of Psilocybin
- Parents' Experiences After Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
BibTeX
@article{chen2026growth,
title = {{“Growth From Failure”: A Qualitative Study of NICU Nurses’ Psychological Experiences Following Failed Neonatal Resuscitation}},
author = {Xushu Chen and Ru Yang and Zeyao Shi and Shulin Hou and Jing Yan and Xiaowen Li},
journal = {Journal of Nursing Management},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/jonm/2056428},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/2056428},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “Growth From Failure”: A Qualitative Study of NICU Nurses’ Psychological Experiences Following Failed Neonatal Resuscitation
AU - Xushu Chen
AU - Ru Yang
AU - Zeyao Shi
AU - Shulin Hou
AU - Jing Yan
AU - Xiaowen Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Journal of Nursing Management
DO - 10.1155/jonm/2056428
UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/2056428
AB - Aim: This study investigated the emotional responses and underlying psychological processes experienced by nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) following unsuccessful neonatal resuscitation. Background: Nurses, particularly neonatal nurses, experience substantial psychological pressure and multifaceted challenges in the aftermath of resuscitation failure. Although existing literature has examined nurses’ emotional responses to neonatal death, a significant gap persists in understanding the distinct psychological experiences of neonatal nurses following unsuccessful resuscitation attempts. Methods: This was a descriptive phenomenological study. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 14 NICU nurses from a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Participants were selected based on their firsthand experiences of neonatal resuscitation failure and participated in semistructured, face‐to‐face interviews. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven‐step method. Results: NICU nurses described their personal experiences following failed neonatal resuscitation. Four themes emerged concerning nurses’ experiences and growth following resuscitation failure: (1) physical and mental exhaustion; (2) communication challenges; (3) reflection and support needs; and (4) achievements and growth. Conclusion: This study revealed the complex psychological experiences of NICU nurses following resuscitation failure. These findings highlight opportunities to support nurses’ professional growth and improve team culture and care systems. Consequently, establishing a multidimensional support system is important to support nurses involved in neonatal resuscitation. Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse managers and hospital administrators should establish a comprehensive, multidimensional support system to improve nursing competencies. This system should prioritize standardized training in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for emergency care, while also strengthening nurses’ capacity to provide humanistic care.
SN - 0966-0429
SN - 1365-2834
ER -