Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Management
Advisor
Carol Wells
Abstract
The underrepresentation of African American (AA) nurses in South Carolina (SC) emergency rooms (ERs) may affect quality patient care for AAs and all other patients in culturally diverse populations. This qualitative interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of AA nurses in several SC ERs concerning quality patient care in culturally diverse populations. Herzberg's two-factor theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory framed the study. The research question investigated the lived experiences of AA ER nurses in SC ERs concerning quality patient care in culturally diverse populations. Interpretive phenomenology was used to gain insight from a sample of 17 participants with a minimum of 2 years of working experience as a registered nurse in SC ERs. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with open-ended questions. Thematic coding identified 8 themes and 4 key findings concerning (a) experiences with staff and coworkers, (b) challenges in providing care, (c) securing ER employment, (d) positive ER experiences. This study’s unique finding was the extent to which these AA ER nurses experienced work-related racial harassment and discrimination. The implications for positive social change include health care leaders’ better understanding of the unique features regarding the AA ER nursing experience, formulating strategies to address nursing challenges, implementing cultural competency training for nonminority employees, and encouraging employee retention to improve the quality of patient care.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, Debra A., "The Lived Experiences of African American Nurses in South Carolina Emergency Rooms" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 11272.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/11272
