Who am I and what do I do? A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on the Experience of RNs and RPNs Working in the Same Environment.

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) working in intraprofessional dual-scope work environments. The study was conducted using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Conversational interviewing was conducted with a purposeful sample of nine nurses who worked in an intraprofessional care area. Two themes emerged from the participant conversations: The Dance and The Fissure. The Dance displays the experiences of empathy, comradery and teamwork lived by the nurses working in the dual-scope environment. The Fissure displays the lived experiences of role ambiguity and challenges nursing in a dual-scope environment. There is importance in giving voice to the stories of the nurses working in the shared care areas, allowing insight into emotions, integrity and wisdom. This research has given light to various issues in the shared care areas for both RNs and RPNs and has provided implications for nursing practice, nursing education, and nursing research.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Applied Health Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Applied Health Sciences Program

Grantor

Brock University

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Nelson, Kristina

• role ambiguity, collaboration, empathy, nursing, registered nurses, registered practical nurses

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10464/14934

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/14934