Nurses’ experiences in pediatric cerebral palsy care: Insights from a transitional health system

Abstract

Background

In transitional healthcare systems, such as Kazakhstan, caring for children with cerebral palsy (CP) places substantial physical and emotional demands on nurses, but their experiences remain largely undocumented in post-Soviet contexts. CP care requires continuous support, complex clinical tasks, and close collaboration with caregivers, so understanding the perspectives of nurses is essential for improving pediatric neurodisability services.

Aim

This study explored the lived experiences of nurses caring for children with CP in a tertiary hospital in Kazakhstan, focusing on the clinical, emotional, and institutional factors that shaped their practice.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative design was used. Twelve nurses were homogeneously purposively sampled, and data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews conducted for 30–60 min between March and April 2025. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic framework. Ethical approval was obtained from Nazarbayev University and the University Medical Center ethics committees.

Results

Five themes emerged: (1) significant physical and resource-related challenges; (2) emotional labor, resilience, and risk of burnout; (3) caregiver dynamics involving stress, conflict, education, and collaboration; (4) professional and personal growth through skills development, empathy, and identity formation; and (5) workplace satisfaction shaped by institutional and peer support. Nurses exhibited strong ethical commitment, frequently compensating for systemic limitations.

Conclusion

This first exploration of CP nursing experiences in Kazakhstan reveals how cultural norms, institutional gaps, and post-Soviet healthcare legacies influence pediatric neurodisability care. Emotional labor functions both as a vulnerability and a key component of professional identity. Strengthening the assistive infrastructure, psychological support services, and CP specific nurse education is essential for enhancing the care quality and sustaining the pediatric nursing workforce.