The Approach of Intensive Care Nurses Toward Non-Communicative Patients

Communication is the basis of all the processes used in the nursing profession in order to provide an equilibration in damaged balance system. Effective and accurate communication will ensure maintenance of patient's psychosocial integrity and successful nursing care. The study was designed as a descriptive study to determine the approach of intensive care nurses to non-communicable patients. The data were collected by using data collection form which was consisting of two parts prepared by the researchers. When the sociodemographic data of nurses were examined, it was determined that 53% of the nurses (n=53) were between the ages of 18-27, 78% were women, 59% were graduated from bachelor degree and 71% of the nurses have been working in the same intensive care unit for 1-5 years. 60% of the nurses did not receive any education about communication with intensive care patients. While 93% of the trainers stated that they received education from the communication certificate courses the content. Participants which have difficulties in communicating with unconscious patients indicate the reasons as they have to work and cope with employee inadequacy (%58), the deterioration of motivation due to intense and tiring shifts (%57), %50 of them concerned shortage of time and maintaing only treatments and care of patients. Nurses offered suggestions to prevent difficulties in communication by increasing employee satisfaction (%88) and receiving education about communication with patients (%72). Nurses stated that communication was an important and indispensable element in a conscious open intensive care patient (62%) and this situation have made it possible for the patient to feel safe and comfortable (61%). Nurses which were working in neurology / neurosurgery intensive care units attach more importance to communication (p <0,05). As a result; Nurses were found to be inadequate in communication. In this respect, it is suggested that education programs has to be planed and implemented. Also, it is suggested that the number of nurses working in the intensive care units should be appropriately planned within the scope of standards because of employee inadequacy due to the difficulties