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Nurse perspectives on the practical, emotional, and professional impacts of living and working in post-earthquake Canterbury, New Zealand

Nurse perspectives on the practical, emotional, and professional impacts of living and working in post-earthquake Canterbury, New Zealand
Nurse perspectives on the practical, emotional, and professional impacts of living and working in post-earthquake Canterbury, New Zealand
INTRODUCTION: This report explores nurses' perspectives following the Canterbury (New Zealand) 2010-2011 earthquake sequence and the subsequent recovery process. Problem Little is known about the experiences of health care professionals during a disaster recovery process, and this research generates insights about the challenges faced.

METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 nurses from the Christchurch (New Zealand) area to explore the challenges faced by the nurses during and following the earthquakes. The interviews took place three years after the start of the earthquake experience to enable exploration of longer term aspects of the recovery process. The interview transcripts were analyzed and coded using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS: The data analysis identified that the nurses had faced a number of challenges and these were characterized as practical, emotional, and professional. While some of the challenges were short-lived in the aftermath of the earthquakes, some were long-lasting due to the extended nature of the recovery process. Dealing with house damage, insurance negotiations, and working in damaged environments had a negative impact on the nurses. The nurses experienced a range of emotions, both negative and positive, after the disaster, though many had needed time to elapse before feeling able to reflect on their experiences. Discussion The findings suggest that secondary stressors have a negative impact on the psychosocial recovery process. The nurses recognized that they received support from others and were also required to focus on others. Keeping busy appeared to be the most common coping strategy. This lack of reflection on their experiences may have resulted in delayed emotional responses. Some of the nurses changed their work role, hours, and responsibilities suggesting that working in this environment was having a detrimental impact.

CONCLUSION: The research indicates the challenges faced by nurses in the initial impact of the earthquakes and during the longer term recovery process. There is a need to consider the psychosocial impact of working and living in a post-disaster context and to develop support packages to ensure the health and well-being of nurses in this environment.
earthquakes, emotions, nurses, perspectives, qualitative
1049-023X
10-16
Johal, Sarbjit S.
86650ecb-3d51-47cf-84c8-5dfc18af912b
Mounsey, Zoe
bbb31b86-0485-4768-82c8-8597e58646af
Brannelly, Tula
c37a8667-d2f6-4455-ba06-cb8bb1637d6a
Johnston, David M.
bbabe063-9037-4a4a-b6c4-230e54904b10
Johal, Sarbjit S.
86650ecb-3d51-47cf-84c8-5dfc18af912b
Mounsey, Zoe
bbb31b86-0485-4768-82c8-8597e58646af
Brannelly, Tula
c37a8667-d2f6-4455-ba06-cb8bb1637d6a
Johnston, David M.
bbabe063-9037-4a4a-b6c4-230e54904b10

Johal, Sarbjit S., Mounsey, Zoe, Brannelly, Tula and Johnston, David M. (2016) Nurse perspectives on the practical, emotional, and professional impacts of living and working in post-earthquake Canterbury, New Zealand. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 31 (1), 10-16. (doi:10.1017/S1049023X15005439). (PMID:26714572)

Record type: Article

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This report explores nurses' perspectives following the Canterbury (New Zealand) 2010-2011 earthquake sequence and the subsequent recovery process. Problem Little is known about the experiences of health care professionals during a disaster recovery process, and this research generates insights about the challenges faced.

METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 nurses from the Christchurch (New Zealand) area to explore the challenges faced by the nurses during and following the earthquakes. The interviews took place three years after the start of the earthquake experience to enable exploration of longer term aspects of the recovery process. The interview transcripts were analyzed and coded using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS: The data analysis identified that the nurses had faced a number of challenges and these were characterized as practical, emotional, and professional. While some of the challenges were short-lived in the aftermath of the earthquakes, some were long-lasting due to the extended nature of the recovery process. Dealing with house damage, insurance negotiations, and working in damaged environments had a negative impact on the nurses. The nurses experienced a range of emotions, both negative and positive, after the disaster, though many had needed time to elapse before feeling able to reflect on their experiences. Discussion The findings suggest that secondary stressors have a negative impact on the psychosocial recovery process. The nurses recognized that they received support from others and were also required to focus on others. Keeping busy appeared to be the most common coping strategy. This lack of reflection on their experiences may have resulted in delayed emotional responses. Some of the nurses changed their work role, hours, and responsibilities suggesting that working in this environment was having a detrimental impact.

CONCLUSION: The research indicates the challenges faced by nurses in the initial impact of the earthquakes and during the longer term recovery process. There is a need to consider the psychosocial impact of working and living in a post-disaster context and to develop support packages to ensure the health and well-being of nurses in this environment.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 29 August 2015
e-pub ahead of print date: 30 December 2015
Published date: February 2016
Keywords: earthquakes, emotions, nurses, perspectives, qualitative
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences, Researcher Development

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 388240
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/388240
ISSN: 1049-023X
PURE UUID: 60a3cafa-3eea-4e1b-9d06-d201bdb61a12

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Date deposited: 23 Feb 2016 09:01
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 22:54

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Contributors

Author: Sarbjit S. Johal
Author: Zoe Mounsey
Author: Tula Brannelly
Author: David M. Johnston

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