Experiences of and actions towards worries among ambulance nurses in their professional life: A critical incident study

Nurses working in the ambulance service are frequently exposed to situations in which they have to take sole responsibility for sick or injured patients, many of which can be emotionally trying. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe critical incidents in which ambulance nurses experience worry in their professional life and the actions they take in order to prevent and cope with it. The sample consisted of 13 male and 12 female nurses working in ambulance services in three small to medium-sized counties in the south of Sweden. The data were collected by means of interviews and analysed according to Critical Incident Technique (CIT). The result showed that nurses worried about specific emergency situations as well as situations related to their working environment. Worry was alleviated by their own actions or with help from others. It was also shown that, with increasing experience, came a responsibility to be able to cope with all kinds of situations. This responsibility was experienced as worrying. However, if the nurse felt confident in their colleague, the worry could ease. It was concluded that the worry experienced by ambulance nurses in specific emergency situations requires flexibility on the part of the ambulance service. Nurses must be given the opportunity to address their worries in the way that is most appropriate for each individual.