Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Nursing
Advisor
Carolyn Sipes
Abstract
This study addressed the need to better understand how a patient’s healthcare is influenced by lack of health literacy for limited English proficient patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. While registered nurses are a key component in the patient care continuum, there is a lack of evidence to understand the experiences caring for this vulnerable population during a pandemic. Framed by Roy’s adaptation model and Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory, the purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of registered nurses who cared for limited English patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020. Seven registered nurses participated in semistructured interviews. The interviews were conducted remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 safety guidelines in place during the time of this study. After transcribing audio interviews, the data was manually coded and four emergent themes were organized: (a) nurse compassion, (b) barriers to care, (c) patient and their family, (d) communication challenges. Twelve subthemes were identified that support the major themes. Communication challenges were the focus of the study and findings from this study could focus on a means of effective and feasible communication between healthcare providers and their target population. Positive social change is possible by recognizing the dynamic need for adequate translation resources, especially when the pandemic’s influence can quickly outpace a system’s design.
Recommended Citation
Cain, Thomas, "Lived Experiences of Nurses Caring for Limited English Proficient Patients During a Pandemic" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 11166.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/11166
