Nurses' care experiences with generation alpha based on Watson's human care theory.

Abstract

Purpose: To explain the care experiences and views of pediatric nurses for generation alpha based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring.

Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design. The data were collected between January 2022 and April 2022 from purposively selected with maximum variation nurses in a pediatric clinic at a hospital. The study adhered to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines. The data were collected from 14 nurses using individual in-depth interviews, a personal information form, a semi-structured interview form, and observation notes, and analyzed using Giorgi's five stages based on the descriptive phenomenological method.

Results: Nurses' views and care experiences for generation alpha were explained under the 3 main themes; facilitating curative care behaviors (first theme), barriers to curative care behaviors (second theme), and maintaining ideal authentic care (third theme), and 7 sub-themes.

Conclusion: Based on Human Caring, this study revealed novel, and powerful information about establishing and maintaining the caring relationship between nurses and the alpha generation. It is recommended that nurses take the theory of human care as a guide, raise awareness about this theory, and receive training while caring for generation alpha.

Practice implications: The knowledge gained through this study can be used to shape nursing care for alpha children, develop curative care behaviors, maintain care, and plan relevant training.