간호사의 좌심실 보조장치 환자 간호 경험과 교육 요구 탐색: 질적 내용 분석

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined nurses’ experiences in caring for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to gain a contextual understanding of the unique characteristics of LVAD nursing care and to identify nurses’ perceived educational needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Twelve nurses from a tertiary hospital were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted from October 15 to November 25, 2024. The interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Through a qualitative content analysis, three main themes and nine subthemes were identified. The main themes were: (1) challenges and achievements of nurses in managing LVAD devices and providing nursing care, (2) difficulties in caring for patients with LVADs within structural constraints, and (3) expectations for practical and applicable education in LVAD nursing care. The subthemes reflected the dual demands of patient care and device management. These demands involved both burden and professional fulfillment. Nurses worked within physical constraints and unclear reporting criteria. There were also unmet nurse-oriented education needs, particularly for practical, current, and tiered resources tailored to experience level and unit context. Conclusion: The findings indicate that caring for patients with LVADs demands nuanced clinical reasoning and greater nursing competence compared to general heart failure care. Educational approaches should reflect clinical contexts and support nurses’ engagement in participatory and experiential learning to address this complexity. These insights provide a systematic educational foundation for developing programs tailored to the realities of LVAD nursing care.