Purpose
Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors face significant challenges after completing treatment, including returning to work, concerns about the future, and financial difficulties. Understanding how inner strength developed after treatment affects survivors’ lives is crucial for informing patient-centered care. This study explored the unique inner strength exhibited by CRC survivors during their transition to a “new normal.” Methods: We recruited 16 patients from Korea who had completed treatment, to explore their experiences of managing their health. We conducted a qualitative study from July 4, 2022 to July 25, 2022 using individual interviews and directed content analysis. Transcribed interview data were analyzed to interpret meaning from the data, consistent with the naturalistic paradigm. Results: Participants described their transition to a new normal by reframing the cancer experience, struggling to return to normal life, experiencing growth promoted by supportive relationships, and encountering both positive and negative life changes. Throughout these experiences as survivors, inner strength played a critical role in adapting to a new normal. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that inner strength serves as a dynamic psychological resource, enabling CRC survivors to reframe their illness, regain disrupted roles, and reconstruct a meaningful life despite ongoing physical and emotional challenges. In doing so, inner strength facilitates their adaptation to a new normal.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of nurse managers in clinical nursing education during an emerging infectious disease outbreak. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 nurse managers from seven general or tertiary hospitals, each with 300 or more beds, in South Korea. Data were collected between February 17 and June 10, 2023, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes and 11 subthemes were identified. Nurse managers faced significant challenges in departmental management during the infectious disease outbreak, encountered a wide range of student attitudes toward learning, adapted their teaching methods flexibly in response to changing infectious disease conditions, and ultimately found meaning in the irreplaceable value of clinical practice education. Conclusion: During the emerging infectious disease outbreak, nurse managers not only encountered substantial difficulties but also experienced professional growth as clinical nursing educators. To enhance clinical nursing education in such challenging environments, it is essential to minimize uncertainty caused by infectious diseases and foster positive perceptions among nursing students regarding clinical practice education under restrictive circumstances. Institutional support is also necessary to reduce the work burden on nurse managers.

Purpose
This study analyzed nursing students’ guided reflective journals following simulation-based practice using standardized patients for the initial care of older adults experiencing falls. It aimed to provide a deeper understanding of how changes in students’ thinking occurred through the learning experience and to describe their levels of reflection.
Methods
An eight-hour simulation-based education program was implemented during a geriatric clinical practicum. The program consisted of orientation, pre-learning activities, simulation practice, and a wrap-up session. Reflective journals from 53 third-year nursing students were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Fifty-three third-year nursing students participated and submitted reflective journals. Three categories emerged from the analysis: “preparing for simulation-based practice,” which involved students setting care plans and employing observation; (2) “experiencing patient fall management through simulation-based practice,” where students actively engaged in realistic fall management scenarios; and (3) “critical reflection after simulation-based practice,” encompassing students’ acquisition of new insights and their personal growth. In the first category, students prepared for patient encounters by developing care plans and conducting observations. The second category highlighted realistic fall management scenarios utilizing standardized patients. The third category focused on personal growth through critical reflection. In the 53 reflective journals (185,021 words), level 3 reflections accounted for 31.6% of the content, while level 5, the highest reflection level, comprised only 8.6%.
Conclusion
Post-simulation reflective journaling stimulated critical thinking and self-assessment, enabling nursing students to analyze and reflect deeply on clinical practices. This process reinforced their knowledge base and behavioral foundations essential for clinical practice.

Citations

• Effectiveness of a high-fidelity simulation program based on flipped learning for nurses’ emergency management of seizures: a mixed-methods design
  Jae-Kyun Ju, Okja Choi, Shinhye Ahn, Hye Won Jeong
  BMC Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effect of structured community-based older people education program on empathy, emotional intelligence, and caring behavior among nursing students
  Jing Ma, PingLei Chui, Mei Chan Chong, Jingru Yuan, Yongyan Zhu, Luyao Liu, Zhenqing Sun
  Frontiers in Medicine.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to explore the roles, facilitators, barriers, and future directions of rapid response teams (RRTs) in Korean hospitals from the perspectives of both RRT and ward nurses.
Methods
Focus group interviews were conducted with 10 RRT nurses and 10 ward nurses across three hospitals that employed RRTs in Korea from August 2021 to February 2022. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes relevant to RRT operations.
Results
The analysis yielded 10 subtopics and 4 main themes: the exploration of RRT's essential roles, the facilitators and barriers impacting RRT operations, and the construction of a blueprint for future systems. Notable barriers included unclear job assignments without legal safeguards, conflict arising from hierarchical structures, and insufficient organizational support. The following facilitators were identified: transformed perceptions through collaborative efforts, organizational recognition and support, and self-reinforcement by demonstrating expertise.
Conclusion
This study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing RRTs in Korean hospitals, including the need for clear role definitions, effective interprofessional collaboration, and organizational support. Based on these findings, future efforts should focus on establishing legal frameworks that define the scope of practice for RRT nurses.

Citations

• Enhancing postoperative recovery with multimodal prehabilitation: the journey begins before surgery
  Ah-Reum Cho, Wariya Vongchaiudomchoke, Detlef Balde, Do Jun Kim, Francesco Carli
  Korean Journal of Anesthesiology.2025; 78(5): 401.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to comprehensively understand the experiences of emergency nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic over the past two years. Methods: Twenty triage nurses from three emergency medical centers were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection occurred from February to May 2022 via focus group interviews and was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The experiences of emergency nurses in triage revealed four themes: "changes in priorities due to infectious diseases", "barriers to tirage", "the emotional burden experienced by triage nurses", and "the journey toward growth". The pandemic heightened the focus on infection screening in triage. Triage nurses faced numerous challenges concerning their own safety and that of their patients and encountered difficulties in performing triage. Nonetheless, these experiences provided them with opportunities for professional growth. Conclusion: The experiences of nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the COVID-19 pandemic provide valuable insights for future preparedness and coping strategies in the face of similar infectious disease outbreaks. It is necessary to establish integrated triage guidelines for patient safety, develop operations manuals for triage, implement policies on staffing standards, and provide mental health support for triage nurses during pandemics.

Purpose
The purpose of the study was to describe andropause-related difficulties experienced by men. Methods: Two focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data from 10 Participants with andropause-related difficulties experienced. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: We organized the responses concerning andropause symptoms into five essential categories: 1) uncontrollable physical changes, 2) intellectual decline, 3) changes in sexual function, 4) difficulties in controlling emotions, and 5) separation from society. The attempts to alleviate andropause were classified into seven distinct categories: 1) dietary modifications, 2) engaging in physical activities, 3) pursuing leisure and hobbies, 4) enhancing self-esteem and self-perception, 5) seeking support and comprehension from one's social circle, 6) utilizing informational resources concerning andropause, and 7) embracing and accepting andropause reality. Conclusion: We analyzed the issues arising from andropause and the corresponding efforts to address them. A comprehensive understanding of andropause's causes, mechanisms, effective nursing interventions, and essential development of management programs, including education, is imperative.

Citations

• Development and Effectiveness of a Mobile Application-Based Health Management Program for Middle-Aged Men with Andropause: A Non-equivalent Control Group Pretest-Posttest Study
  Sun Jung Park, Young Sook Lim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(3): 231.     CrossRef

Purpose
COVID-19 is both a national crisis and a cause of individual trauma. This trauma is experienced during the period of acute illness and for an unpredictable duration after recovery. This study explored experiences of COVID-19 patients in hospital isolation, providing a detailed account of their experiences to furnish basic data necessary for establishing strategies to address the psychosocial problems that may arise from the hospital isolation process and recovery period. Methods: We conducted comprehensive interviews and qualitative content analysis. We held in-depth interviews with five COVID-19 patients from May 16 to August 22, 2021, and also analyzed data from interviews with five patients conducted as part of another study on COVID-19 patients' perceptions. Thus, 10 participants' interviews were analyzed in this study. Results: From the qualitative data, 34 codes, 9 subcategories, and 4 categories were identified. The categories included "Prioritization of epidemic prevention over treatment," "Victims who have been labeled as perpetrators," "Gratitude felt in difficult moments," and "Demand for respect from the system and society." After analyzing these categories, we derived the overarching theme of "It's okay, but it's not okay." Conclusion: During isolation treatment, it is crucial to uphold human rights as much as possible by prioritizing patient care, providing a comfortable environment, and offering clear guidance on their progress. Communication between patients and caregivers should be facilitated to provide psychological support. Furthermore, national policies such as economic compensation and strategies for post-traumatic growth should be implemented to address grievances and facilitate recovery.

Purpose
We aimed to systematically review and synthesize qualitative evidence on the experiences of nurses caring for hemodialysis patients.
Methods
We used Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnography. Seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, RISS, KISS, National Assembly Electronic Library) were used for the literature search. There were no restrictions placed on publication dates. A total of 10 studies published in English and Korean up until July 2021 were finally selected for review.
Results
Three themes were identified from the literature review, which were then divided into six subthemes: acquiring the technical skills of hemodialysis, responsibility for prolonging patients’ lives, and maintaining stable hemodialysis in patients’ daily lives.
Conclusion
The results of this study provide basic data that emphasizes the specific role of nurses in the hemodialysis unit, a specialized area of nursing, and can be utilized as educational material for hemodialysis unit nurse education.

Citations

• A Qualitative Study on Nurses' Caring Experiences With Individuals With Kidney Failure Receiving Haemodialysis
  Edward Appiah Boateng, Bernice Bodua‐Mango, Joana Kyei‐Dompim, Philemon Adoliwine Amooba
  Journal of Renal Care.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Cherubims in Rdu: Experiences of Novice Nurses in Renal Dialysis Unit Among Tertiary Hospitals in Davao City
  ANNALIE G. CUEVA, SAMUEL F. MIGALLOS
  International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science.2025; 14(4): 438.     CrossRef
• Nurses’ perspectives and experience in caring for patients undergoing hemodialysis at Benjamin Mkapa hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania: A qualitative study
  Stephania Mbunda, Neema E. Mawi, Masunga K. Iseselo, Jordan Llego
  PLOS One.2025; 20(6): e0325501.     CrossRef
• Improving assessment and escalation of threatened haemodialysis access: results of a nursing-led program
  Dana Forcey, Dan Tran, Jenny Connor, Piriya Kusuma Na Ayudhya, Christian Ocampo, Craig Nelson, Sandra Crikis
  BMC Nephrology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to describe clinical practice nurse’s role experience working in a university hospital. Clinical practice nurses are a mix of certified and non-certified nurses. They perform some of the duties of physicians in addition to the work they do as nurses. In the future, such nurses may become advanced practice registered nurses. Methods Focus group interviews were conducted with three groups, each consisting of eight participants. The interview lasted two and a half hours per group. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method. Results The analysis yielded four categories and 14 themes. The four categories were “seeking an escape from the repeated routines as a nurse”, “pioneering and developing new roles as a clinical practice nurse”, “confusion about professional identity due to ambiguity in role boundaries”, and “securing oneself as a team member and establishing a role as a clinical practice nurse”. Conclusion The scope of advanced practice registered nurses’ roles was meant to have been established in 2020, but this was not achieved. Thus, studying the role experience of clinical practice nurses and their experiences is worthwhile and the results can inform legislation. The results of the study will also help establish a customized curriculum for advanced practice nurses and ultimately improve the quality of nursing services for patients.

Citations

• Exploring the Difficulties and Educational Needs of Surgical Unit Nurses in Caring for Surgical Patients: A Qualitative Content Analysis
  Ki Nam Kwon, Seon Young Hwang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2025; 32(1): 24.     CrossRef
• A study on the job performance, importance, and educational needs of clinical practice nurses in tertiary hospitals
  Hyemi Lee, Youngmee Ahn, Min Sohn, Minhee Suh
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2025; 31(3): 315.     CrossRef
• The Influence of Clinical Practice Nurses' Self-Leadership, Role Conflict, and Practice Environment on Patient Safety Competency
  Jeong Hwa Heo, Ji Hyun Sung
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2025; 31(4): 458.     CrossRef
• Role Conflict of Physician Assistants with Nursing Licenses in Korea
  Byeongkwan Kim, Wonhee Jung
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2024; 30(2): 141.     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of nurses caring for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in infection wards dedicated to COVID-19 through an in-depth exploration of the patient experience and meaning of care.
Methods
This study is a qualitative study analyzed by conventional content analysis. The study participants were 14 nurses who took direct care of COVID-19 patients in the early stages of the pandemic at a dedicated COVID-19 ward. The data were collected from July 4 to August 30, 2020, using face-to-face interviews.
Results
The analysis 6 categories: ‘struggling to prepare an infection ward’, ‘fear and anxiety about infection’, ‘the weight of pressure from patient care’, ‘efforts to protect patients’, ‘maturity of professional identity as a nurse’, and ‘a quarantine community that we create together’.
Conclusion
These study findings promote a broader understanding of nursing barriers, to patient care during an initial outbreak of a novel infectious disease, based on nurses' experiences with COVID-19 patients, and consequently, improve the quality of care received by such patients. Finally, nursing leaders, health policymakers, and governments should utilize these findings to inform practical strategies for nursing practice in current or future pandemics.

Citations

• The Moderating Effect of Calling in the Relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress and Turnover Intention of Nurses Who Cared for COVID-19 Patients
  Min Ju Woo, Bu Kyung Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2025; 31(1): 75.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Person‐Centred Care Among Nurses in COVID‐19 Wards: A Qualitative Study
  Myoungsuk Kim, Yongmi Lee, Hyun‐Ju Kang
  Nursing Open.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Improving Emerging Infectious Disease Control Based on the Experiences of South Korean Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Systematic Review
  Ha-Young Park, In-Sun Yeom
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2024; 31(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Depression Among Nurses in General Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Job Demands, Post-traumatic Stress, and Social and Organizational Support
  Si Hyun Baek, Jeong-Hee Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2024; 30(3): 306.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Nurses Working as Helpers in a Dedicated COVID-19 Ward of a Certified Tertiary Hospital
  Eun Hyang Park, Hee Kyung Chang
  Journal of Korean Association for Qualitative Research.2024; 9(2): 93.     CrossRef
• The COVID-19 Pandemic Experience of A Cohort of Quarantined University Hospital Nurse Managers
  Soon-Youl Lee, Suk Jung Han, Hee Jung Hong
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2024; 38(2): 205.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Psychiatric Nurses Working in a Closed Psychiatric Unit during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Ji Young Kim, Hyun Kyung Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2023; 32(4): 374.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting COVID-19 Incidences and Deaths of Geriatric Hospital Patients in Korea
  Juh Hyun Shin, Sunok Jung, Jung Eun Kim
  Research in Gerontological Nursing.2023; 16(6): 302.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Resilience on Post-Traumatic Growth among Nurses in COVID-19-Designated Hospitals: The Mediating Effect of Meaning in Life
  Suk-Jung Han, Young-Ran Yeun, Hyunseung Roh
  Healthcare.2023; 11(21): 2895.     CrossRef
• Perspectives of Frontline Nurses Working in South Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Combined Method of Text Network Analysis and Summative Content Analysis
  SangA Lee, Tae Wha Lee, Seung Eun Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2023; 53(6): 584.     CrossRef
• A topic modeling analysis for Korean online newspapers: Focusing on the social perceptions of nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic period
  Soo Jung Chang, Sunah Park, Yedong Son
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2022; 28(4): 444.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing the Educational Needs and Nursing Intention Regarding COVID-19 Patient Care among Undergraduate Nursing Students
  Eun-Joo Ji, Eun-Kyung Lee
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(23): 15671.     CrossRef

Purpose
The study was conducted to explore nurses’ working experiences during the pandemic at a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) dedicated hospital in Korea.
Methods
Twenty registered nurses who provided care for the COVID-19 affected patients participated in this study. Data were collected using three focus groups with 19 participants, and in-depth interviews with 11. Data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.
Results
Seven categories and 18 subcategories were extracted. The seven categories were ‘Hesitating to move forward’, ‘Standing up with the name of nurse’, ‘Experiencing unfamiliarity and confusion’, ‘Walking on thin ice every day’, ‘Getting used to working’, ‘Growing one step further’ and ‘Being left with an unsolved issue’. The experiences of participants changed over time. In the preparation phase the participants experienced fear of the unknown, but eventually they decided to enter the COVID-19 battlefield. After the opening of the COVID-19 wards, participants were confused and felt nervous because everything was unfamiliar and undefined. While they gradually adapted to work and they felt that they grew as nurses through these experiences. They were also concerned about several unresolved issues, including ethical dilemmas about patient care, optimal working environment and compensation for work.
Conclusion
This study provides an understanding of nurses’ working experiences at a COVID-19 dedicated hospital over a time interval. These findings suggest multidimensional implications for future studies and policy making on nursing management issues and on patients care in the pandemic era.

Citations

• Experiences of Person‐Centred Care Among Nurses in COVID‐19 Wards: A Qualitative Study
  Myoungsuk Kim, Yongmi Lee, Hyun‐Ju Kang
  Nursing Open.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• A Delphi Study on the Changes in Work, Organizational Culture, and Health Issues of Nurses at Tertiary Hospitals in South Korea during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
  MiRa Yun, WonJong Kim, Boas Yu, Eun-Hi Choi, Paolo C. Colet
  Journal of Nursing Management.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Korean Hospital Nurses’ Experiences with COVID-19: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Findings
  Suk-Jung Han, Hee-Jung Hong, Bok-Soon Shin
  Healthcare.2024; 12(9): 903.     CrossRef
• Nurses’ intention to care of COVID-19 patients in hospitals dedicated to infectious disease in South Korea: application of the theory of planned behavior and verification of the moderating effect of ethical nursing competence
  Mira Mo, Seongmi Moon, Eun Kyeung Song
  BMC Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• An Integrated Review of Difficulties and Response Strategies Experienced by Korean Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Based on Qualitative Research
  Jayoung YOU, Dan Bi CHO
  Korean Journal of Medical Ethics.2024; 27(1): 27.     CrossRef
• Improving Emerging Infectious Disease Control Based on the Experiences of South Korean Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Systematic Review
  Ha-Young Park, In-Sun Yeom
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2024; 31(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Nurses Working as Helpers in a Dedicated COVID-19 Ward of a Certified Tertiary Hospital
  Eun Hyang Park, Hee Kyung Chang
  Journal of Korean Association for Qualitative Research.2024; 9(2): 93.     CrossRef
• Exploring the Status and Experiences of School Nurses’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Study
  Hyojin Park, Juyoung Ha
  Asian Nursing Research.2024; 18(5): 489.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Psychiatric Nurses Working in a Closed Psychiatric Unit during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Ji Young Kim, Hyun Kyung Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2023; 32(4): 374.     CrossRef
• Perspectives of Frontline Nurses Working in South Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Combined Method of Text Network Analysis and Summative Content Analysis
  SangA Lee, Tae Wha Lee, Seung Eun Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2023; 53(6): 584.     CrossRef
• Burnout among Nurses in COVID-19 Designated Units Compared with Those in General Units Caring for Both COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients
  Kyung Ah Woo, Eun Kyoung Yun, JiSun Choi, Hye Min Byun
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2023; 29(4): 374.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Post-traumatic Growth of Nurses at Nationally Designated Infectious Disease Hospital
  Ji Eun Oh, Ju Young Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2022; 28(5): 499.     CrossRef

Purpose
This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of patients recovering from Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
Using a purposive sampling method, participants were recruited from the Korean Psychological Association’s Mental Health and Wellness Center in G city, South Korea, from May 5 to December 30, 2020. The interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Data saturation was reached after interviewing 14 participants.
Results
The experiences of patients recovering from COVID-19 were clustered into 4 main themes and 10 subthemes:, namely, the patients’ 1) stigmatization, leading to anxiety, fatigue, and concern about neighbors; 2) negative emotions: anger and helplessness; 3) coping strategies under pressure: increased gratitude, self-reflection, and self-efficacy; and 4) ways of overcoming internalized stigma: personal growth and hope for the future.
Discussion
The results suggest that the positive and negative emotions of patients recovering from COVID-19 are interwoven and coexist against the background of the pandemic. Improvement of social networks, development of coping skills, and psychological growth play an important role in alleviating the psychological burden of recovering patients.

Citations

• Post-Traumatic Psychological Experience of COVID-19 Survivors: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
  Yusra Al Nasiri, Amal Al Balushi, Saira Al Balushi, Kamila Al Alawi, Zainab Al Mashari, Buthaina Al Muqimi, Faiza Al Balushi, Salah Al Awaidy
  COVID.2024; 4(8): 1188.     CrossRef
• Meaning and lived experience of Iranian COVID‐19 survivors: A phenomenological study
  Sedigheh Hasani‐Moghadam, Abou Ali Vedadhir, Fatemeh Alijani, Marzieh Azizi, Soghra Khani
  Brain and Behavior.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Post-traumatic growth among emergency nurses after COVID-19 in Shanghai, China: a qualitative study
  Jinxia Jiang, Yue Liu, Peng Han, Pengjia Zhang, Haiyan Shao, Zhenjuan Dai, Yugang Zhuang
  BMJ Open.2024; 14(2): e081212.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to explore the clinical practice experience of nursing students during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods
We used the qualitative content analysis steps presented by Graneheim and Lundman. The participants were 11 nursing students from two universities. We collected data by iterative work through in-depth interviews and observations and analyzed it using content analysis and dialogue between the authors to enhance interpretation.
Results
Four themes emerged from the participants' clinical practice experiences during the pandemic: increased uncertainty in clinical practice and daily life, reduced opportunities for practice experiences and networking, differences in the meaning of clinical practice, and new implications of clinical practice.
Conclusion
Participants were experiencing clinical practice, including themselves and the surrounding world, under the strong influence of the COVID-19. Therefore, the development of practice guidelines that can be communicated quickly between institutions, students, and universities and cope flexibly with the pandemic alarm levels will reduce uncertainty in clinical practice and minimize changes in activities and networking. Additionally, the nurses’ professional intuition should be improved by expanding the awareness of nurse roles in clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citations

• Impact of grit, empathy, and communication competence on the clinical competence of nursing students in the post-COVID-19 era in Korea: a cross-sectional study
  Soo-Hyun Nam, Seurk Park
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2025; 27(1): 115.     CrossRef
• The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Practice Education in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Kuemju Park
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2025; 22(4): 577.     CrossRef
• Development of Virtual Reality-Based Home-Visiting Healthcare Education Content
  Young-Sun Ha, Yong-Kyung Park, Hye-Sun Byun, Moon-Ji Choi
  Journal of Digital Contents Society.2025; 26(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Nurse Managers in Clinical Nursing Education during Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Qualitative Study
  Soojin Chung, Ju-Young Park, Jeongim Lee
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(3): 276.     CrossRef
• Expectations and concerns about transitioning to face-to-face learning among Korean nursing students: A mixed methods study
  Hyeongsuk Lee, Hye Jin Yoo, Chao Gu
  PLOS ONE.2024; 19(1): e0296914.     CrossRef
• Therapeutic Communication Using Mirroring Interventions in Nursing Education: A Mixed Methods Study
  Seung Hee Lee, Hye Jin Yoo
  Asian Nursing Research.2024; 18(5): 435.     CrossRef
• The Impact of COVID-19 Stress, Interpersonal Relations, and Information Literacy on the Adaptation of Nursing Students to College Life
  Miran Jung, So Youn Yim, Young Mi Ryu
  Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2024; 33(1): 9.     CrossRef
• Korean Nursing Students’ Experiences of Virtual Simulation Programs Replacing In-Person Mental Health Nursing Practicum during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Sunyoung Lee, Eunyoung Park, Hyun-E Yeom
  Healthcare.2024; 12(6): 685.     CrossRef
• Nursing students’ satisfaction and clinical competence by type of pediatric nursing practicum during the COVID-19 pandemic
  Hyeon Ok Ju, Jung Hwa Lee
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2024; 30(1): 29.     CrossRef
• Effect of Virtual-Reality Simulation of Indwelling Catheterization on Nursing Students’ Skills, Confidence, and Satisfaction
  Soohyun Park, Hyeon Gyeong Yoon
  Clinical Simulation in Nursing.2023; 80: 46.     CrossRef
• The Practical Experience of Nursing Graduates through Clinical Practicum Alternative Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Eun Hee Jang, Youngrye Park
  Journal of Korean Association for Qualitative Research.2023; 8(2): 107.     CrossRef
• Student nurse experiences in public healthcare clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
  Yun-Jung Choi, Youn-Joo Um
  Nurse Education Today.2022; 119: 105586.     CrossRef
• Clinical Field and Alternative Clinical Practice Experience in a Pandemic Situation of Nursing Students Who Have Experienced Clinical Practice before COVID-19
  Hyeran An, Sunnam Park, Jongeun Lee
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(20): 13372.     CrossRef
• Laboratory and clinical teaching experience of nursing professors in the COVID-19 pandemic era: Now and the future
  Seung-Yi Choi, Songxian Jin, Jung-Hee Kim
  Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of Debriefing in Simulation-Based Education for Nursing Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
  Yeoungsuk Song, Seurk Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2022; 29(4): 399.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study was performed to explore the contexts and meanings of health life among patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: The ethnography steps presented by Spradley were utilized. The participants were 12 patients from two hemodialysis centers. Data were collected by iterative fieldwork through in-depth interviews and participant observations and analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods. Field notes were used along with interviews and dialogue between authors to enhance interpretation. Results: Five themes on the health life of participants emerged: experiencing the loss of normality of the body and the collapse of daily life, establishing the role of dialysis patients, reorganizing the network, building an integrated coping pattern, and new normalization of the pattern of life. Patients' experiences differed in health life's patterns and meanings according to various individual situations and sociocultural contexts. Conclusion: Establishing new patterns of life of hemodialysis patients was a normalization process to ensure the adequacy of physical indicators and stability amid physical, emotional, and social challenges. To achieve quality health life, patients should be provided with tailored nursing interventions that consider their individual, social, and cultural situations.

Citations

• A qualitative meta-synthesis of the essence of patient experiences of dialysis
  Soyoung Jang, Eunyoung E. Suh, Yoonhee Seok
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2025; 55(1): 119.     CrossRef
• Predictors of self-management behaviors among patients undergoing hemodialysis
  Yusun Park, Sunyoung Jung
  Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The impact of illness acceptance, depression, and social support on health-related quality of life in older adults on hemodialysis: A descriptive study
  Eunha Lee, Jungmin Kim
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2025; 27(1): 106.     CrossRef
• Predictors of psychosocial adaptation in haemodialysis patients according to haemodialysis vintage: a quantitative study
  Ae Kyung Chang, Ah Young Kim
  Contemporary Nurse.2025; 61(4): 377.     CrossRef
• Influences of Online Health Information Seeking Behavior and E-health Literacy on Self-Management in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Myeong-yi Kim, Jaehee Jeon
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(4): 502.     CrossRef
• Healthy life of Korean patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis: A situation-specific nursing theory
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho, Haeok Lee
  Applied Nursing Research.2022; 65: 151584.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Uncertainty on the Physiological Indexes of Hemodialysis Patients: Serial Mediating Effects of Uncertainty Appraisal and Self-care Behavior
  Mi Kyung Kim, Eun Hee Jang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2022; 34(1): 51.     CrossRef
• Development and Evaluation of an Online Self-Management Program in Patients with Chronic Kidney Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis
  Jinhyang Yang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2022; 29(4): 531.     CrossRef

Purpose
To explore the nature of psychological resistance to the initiation of antihypertensive medication.
Methods
Participants were 13 adults with hypertension who were refusing or had refused to take antihypertensive drugs from July 2016 to October 2016. The data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews, and analyzed according to Braun and Clarke’s 6 steps of thematic analysis.
Results
Analysis of the psychological resistance experience to drug therapy in hypertensive patients resulted in 5 themes and 10 sub-themes from a total of 42 free codes. Participants were “holding out as much as possible without medication” without taking antihypertensive drugs due to “psychological opposition to starting treatment” and “situational barriers related to medication”. However, they were “coming to grips with reality” that they were not taking medication but would take it someday, and they gained “momentum for change” to start taking it.
Conclusion
The 5 themes derived from the data analysis of the experiences of 13 participants are interrelated and suggest the direction of intervention to lower psychological resistance. In particular, we propose the development of an intervention to assist patients in self-decision regarding taking antihypertensive medication. Additional research into the role of medical staff in lowering the psychological resistance of young hypertensive patients is needed.

Citations

• Withdrawal of antihypertensive medication in young to middle-aged adults: a prospective, single-group, intervention study
  Hae-Young Lee, Kyoung Suk Lee
  Clinical Hypertension.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the significance and structure of the painful experience of primary decision-makers regarding the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) instruction.
METHODS
This study was a qualitative research based on Parse's qualitative research method. Participants were 7 family members who were primary decision-makers for regarding DNR instruction for the family member from July 28, to October 6, 2018.
RESULTS
The core concepts of the difficulties of the participants were Distress emerging from the pitiful condition of the patient, guilt, sadness and regret, Seeking comfort for loved ones, Uncertainty of DNR decision, Planning the resumption of daily life and decision about own DNR. The painful experience of participants can be defined as the process of empowering the patient through verbal communication with them, by valuing them, and by enabling them to overcome their limitations.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study is expected to contribute to a deep understanding of primary DNR decision-makers' suffering and developing guidelines for nursing care for health care professionals and primary DNR decision-makers who provide end-of-life care to the patients.

Citations

• Nurse's, physician's and family member's experiences of withholding or withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment process in an intensive care unit
  Hye Ri Choi, Sheila Rodgers, Jennifer Tocher, Sung Wook Kang
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2023; 32(15-16): 4827.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study attempts to explore the experiences of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation (HSCD) among donors and experts of HSCD-related institutions in South Korea.
METHODS
In July 2017, 7 donors and 8 experts with experience of HSCD-related work were interviewed. The transcribed data were qualitatively analyzed to identify major themes and sub-themes representing the experiences of the donors and experts.
RESULTS
The analysis indicated that donors' HSCD-related experiences were structured into 5 themes (“Lack of understanding of HSCD”, “Difficulty in decision-making regarding HSCD”, “Major hassles involving HSCD”, “Meaningful experiences and hopefulness” and “More effort by government and institutions for future donors”). The experts' experiences were structured into 4 themes (“Improving the donation procedure through government support”, “Improving the donation procedure through campaign reinforcement”, “Donors' characteristics”, and “Meaning of my job”).
CONCLUSION
HSCD-related institutions must manage donors more carefully. This would involve keeping them aware of what they are likely to experience throughout the donation procedure, follow-up monitoring, and continuous support. Efforts should be taken to inform nurses involved in HSCD of research on donors' experiences, and they must be systematically trained to ease donors' difficulties.

Citations

• Unveiling the unknown: exploring Korean anonymous organ donors’ post-donation outcomes
  Chulhee Kang, Hyelim Hong, Chanmi Kim
  Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Physical and Psychological Discomfort Experienced by Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Donors
  Miok Kim, Tai-Gyu Kim, Su-Hee Beom
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(7): 2316.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate a successful aging experience of aged on the in-home benefits of long-term care insurance.
METHODS
The participants included 12 aged individuals receiving such benefits. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from November of 2016 to July of 2017. The qualitative analysis process followed the grounded theory method by Strauss and Corbin.
RESULTS
The research results indicate that the core category was “living my life in my home using my remaining abilities”. The phenomenon was “recognizing the limitations of my body”, and causal conditions were “old and sick body” and “depression”. The interaction strategies were “examining my body”, “engaging in self-reflection”, “controlling my mind”, “taking care of my health according to the illnesses I experience”, “managing my remaining abilities”, “connecting with a supportive network”, and “spending time”. The outcomes were “living by adapting to my limited body conditions”, “leading my life with the help of others”, “sharing the meaning of life with others”, and “reestablishing my life values”.
CONCLUSION
Based on the this results, systematic health management programs such as personalized physical activity to maintain and preserve remaining function of the body should be develop to maintain the life in my home for aged.

Citations

• Successful aging among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment facing the crisis of old age: a grounded theory study
  Haeyun Shin, Suhye Kwon
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2025; 55(2): 301.     CrossRef
• Transition Experiences of the Elderly from Long-Term Care Hospital to Home: Focusing on the Elderly Living Alone of Community Care Project
  Yun Hee Hwang, Ga Eon Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2021; 32(3): 382.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The specific aims were to identify the process of fight against ovarian cancer and how the women interact with other people.
METHODS
The subjects included 12 women who were higher than stage II epithelial ovarian cancer. Data were collected with an in-depth individual interview from July 2017 to April 2018. The specific analysis process followed the grounded theory method of Corbin and Strauss.
RESULTS
The results show that the core category was “finding the existence value with being tied to the bridle of death”. The outcomes were “fighting cancer in loneliness”, “life compromised with death”, and “social sublimation”. The women with ovarian cancer experienced the collapse of existence value while they reached the phase of implicit maintenance through the phases of chaos, active seeking, and desperate coping by using various strategies.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate psychosocial problems due to the collapse of women's existence value in the process of ovarian cancer treatment, which have an important effect on the entire treatment process. Thus, it is important to develop nursing strategies based on the characteristics of the process of treatment in ovarian cancer and health providers should support them to rebuild the value of the existence through it.

Citations

• The Experience of Gynecologic Cancer in Young Women: A Qualitative Study
  Sung-Jin Kim, Hyunjeong Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2023; 53(1): 115.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the process of symptom acceptance of tinnitus patients.
METHODS
Data were collected from October 2017 to March 2018 through individual in-depth interviews with 15 tinnitus patients. Verbatim transcripts and field notes were analyzed using grounded theory methodology developed by Corbin and Strauss.
RESULTS
The core category about the symptom acceptance of tinnitus patients was identified as “accepting tinnitus as an alarming sign to escape from the prison of ear ringing and maintain good health.” The acceptance of tinnitus consisted of three phases: “desperate effort”, “resigned reflection on the past stage”, and “voluntary change in viewpoint stage”.
CONCLUSION
The findings from this study show that tinnitus had a great impact on the life of the patients. The core category: “accepting tinnitus as an alarming sign to escape from the prison of ear ringing and maintain good health” shows the agony and endeavor of the patients in the process of accepting the symptom as the part of their life amid lack of social insight into tinnitus. Healthcare providers' cooperation is needed to build a supportive social atmosphere to help these patients empathetically and enhance their coping capabilities and symptom management. This finding will be helpful for developing educational programs and intervention guidelines and providing appropriate counseling services for these people.

Citations

• Predictors of Depression in Individuals Aged over 60 with Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Seohyeon Kim, Sunghee H. Tak
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(1): 25.     CrossRef
• Mediating Effect of Sleep Discomfort in the Relationship between Tinnitus Distress and Depression: A Cross-sectional Study
  Woo Joung Joung
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2024; 36(3): 251.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore Inattentional Blindness (IB) as experienced by hospital nurses.
METHODS
Data were collected from August 3 to October 30, 2017 through focus group interviews with 24 nurses working in a university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Four focus group interviews were conducted and all interviews were recorded. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Three categories and seven subcategories were identified from 96 units of analysis, as follows: 1) occurrence of IB (preoccupation with specific factors, pressure from external factors, unexpected event); 2) triggers of IB (distraction, low expectation of error); and 3) influences due to exposure to IB (continuous self-surveillance, perceived need for thinking expansion).
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study show that nurses experienced IB directly and indirectly while performing their duties. IB occurred especially in common nursing situations, such as health assessment and medication administration. The results also suggest that it is necessary to develop strategies to prevent IB in the clinical setting, which can be useful not only to ensure patient safety but also to help patients regain their health.

Citations

• Effects of patient deterioration simulation using inattentional blindness for final year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial
  Jaewon Park, Kyoung-Ja Kim
  Nurse Education Today.2021; 106: 105080.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study aimed to understand the experiences of family caregivers utilizing Care Support of Dementia Centers (CSDC) in the community.
METHODS
Colaizzi's phenomenological approach was used for this study. The participants were 10 family caregivers. Open in-depth interviews were used to collect data from January 2018 to February 2018.
RESULTS
Four categories emerged from the analysis. The experiences of family caregivers utilizing CSDC included “becoming to open the mind to dementia”, “forming of good field for each other”, “alterations in the patterns of family life” and “hoping for a better life”. There were 8 clusters of themes and 17 themes. The experiences of family caregivers utilizing CSDC were driving force of understanding about dementia, older adults with dementia and caring. The older adults with dementia accepted their disease, they actively participated in supporting programs. So, forming of another world that provide regular activities for older adults with dementia, giving rest to the family caregivers, and rearranging the pattern of life according to the schedule of older adults with dementia. Moreover, they expressed the need for a helpful and empathetic support program.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that CSDC helped older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. Therefore, the importance of the role of dementia centers has been emphasized. It is necessary to provide guidance on the content and direction of the network of community support systems.

Citations

• Factors influencing the caring behaviors of primary family caregivers of older adults with dementia: A cross-sectional study
  Da-Mi Kim, Hye-Young Jang
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2024; 26(2): 146.     CrossRef
• Time Usage and Satisfaction Based on Occupational Area Between Weekdays and Weekends of Family Caregivers and Non-family Caregivers of Dementia Patients
  Woo-Hyuk Jang, Jong-Hwi Park
  Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology.2024; 27(5): 543.     CrossRef
• Time usage analysis according to occupational area and satisfaction level in family caregivers of dementia patients
  Woo-Hyuk Jang, Jong-Sik Jang, Jong-Hwi Park
  PeerJ.2023; 11: e15178.     CrossRef
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Community-Based Dementia Caregiver Intervention on Caregiving Burden, Depression, and Attitude Toward Dementia: A Quasi‐experimental Study
  Su Jung Lee, Hyun-Ju Seo, IL Han Choo, Seong Min Kim, Jeong Min Park, Eun-Young Yang, Yu Mi Choi
  Clinical Interventions in Aging.2022; Volume 17: 937.     CrossRef
• Experience of family caregivers using dementia management programs for patients with dementia during COVID-19: Based on focus group interviews
  Doonam Oh, Jeonghae Hwang, Seonghee Jeong
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2022; 39(5): 101.     CrossRef
• Comparing the Needs of Family Caregivers and Program Providers in Long-Term Care in Terms of Family Support Program
  Myonghwa Park, Younghye Go, Miri Jeong, Eun-Jeong Han
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(1): 14.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to explore and describe their experience of living with a colostomy.
METHODS
The data were collected by in-depth interviews with eight patients with colorectal cancer. The individual interviews lasted from 45 minutes to one hour each time, up to two times. The main questions were “How do you cope with the distress related to your colostomy?” The interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.
RESULTS
Of the eight participants, five were men and three were women. Mean age was 60.6 years. Three theme clusters were identified; ‘overcoming adversity of ostomy’, and ‘adjustment to ostomy’ and ‘new life through self-transcendence’.
CONCLUSION
These results showed that participants try to overcome their negative images and distress of having an ostomy by themselves, or with support from neighbors, families, religious persons or health professionals. The results from this study can help nurses to develop effective colostomy-caring interventions for patients living with a colostomy.

Citations

• Hopelessness and suicide ideation in ostomy patients: a mixed method study
  Nasrin Sarabi
  Journal of Coloproctology.2020; 40(03): 214.     CrossRef
• Effects of social support and self‐efficacy on the psychosocial adjustment of Korean ostomy patients
  Keum Hee Nam, Heui Yeoung Kim, Jung Ho Kim, Ki‐Noh Kang, Soo Yang Na, Bok Hee Han
  International Wound Journal.2019; 16(S1): 13.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
There is limited available research about the experiences of family caregivers and their care of family members with cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of distress among family caregivers. Further, this study explored what aspects of caring for family member contributed to the distress.
METHODS
Data were collected through in-depth interviews with thirteen family members primarily responsible for the care of the member with cancer. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
The findings showed that the patients' physical, psychological, socio-relational, and spiritual symptoms influenced their caregivers' distress. The four categories that emerged from the data included “focusing attention only on the patient battling with cancer,”“being trapped in turmoil of complex emotions and feelings,”“having had to endure alone,” and “hanging in there at the crossroads of life and death.” With respect to these categories, fourteen sub-categories were ultimately identified.
CONCLUSION
Based on this study, researchers need to focus more attention on, and explore such co-existing distress to develop an adequate support program for the family caregivers of cancer patients.

Citations

• Caregivers of patients with cancer: perceived stress, quality of life and immune function
  Yoonjoo Kim, Misook L Chung, Hyangkyu Lee
  BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.2025; 15(2): 195.     CrossRef
• Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire–Carer
  JuHee Lee, Young H. Sohn, Seok Jong Chung, Sung Hae Kim, Yujin Suh, Jungah Park, Yielin Kim
  Journal of Clinical Neurology.2023; 19(6): 547.     CrossRef
• Influences of Depression and Social Support on Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy at an Outpatient Department
  Hye Young Kim, Eun Ko
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2022; 29(4): 430.     CrossRef
• Factors Related to the Caregiving Burden on Families of Korean Patients With Lung Cancer
  Hyun Jung Lee, Soo Kyung Park
  Clinical Nursing Research.2022; 31(6): 1124.     CrossRef
• Caregiving experiences of Korean family caregivers of cancer patients: An integrative literature review
  Eunice E. Lee, Shin‐Young Lee
  Psycho-Oncology.2020; 29(10): 1486.     CrossRef
• Factors influencing caregiver burden in families of hospitalised patients with lung cancer
  Ye Ji Seo, Heeok Park
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2019; 28(9-10): 1979.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to understand the nurses' experiences of end of life care of older adults with dementia living in long-term care hospitals and geriatric care facilities.
METHODS
The participants were nine nurses. Open in-depth interviews were used to collect data from June, 2016 to November, 2016. Colaizzi's phenomenological approach was used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Three categories were identified. The nurses' reported experiences of end of life care of older adults with dementia were ‘warm care with living together’, ‘care for family’, and the ‘self-reflection and responsibility as a nurse’. There were ten clusters of themes and 24 themes. The participants stated that the end of life care of older adults with dementia were individualized holistic care with dignity, being in older adults with dementia and family, and responsibility as a professional. Nurses reported the need for dementia hospice care.
CONCLUSION
These results could be considered in planning nursing intervention for hospice care. The findings support the need for educational strategies and programs to improve end of life care among older adults with dementia.

Citations

• Nursing staff’s experiences and perspectives on end-of-life care in South Korean long-term care facilities: a qualitative study
  Soo Jung Chang, Na Kyoung Lee, So-Hyeong Sim
  BMC Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Impact of settings and culture on nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes and perceptions towards people with dementia: An integrative literature review
  Sara Mahmoud Yaghmour
  Nursing Open.2022; 9(1): 66.     CrossRef
• Registered Nurses’ Experiences of End-of-Life Care in Nursing Homes of South Korea: A Qualitative Study
  Soo-Jung Chang
  Healthcare.2022; 10(11): 2213.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Long-term Care Hospital Nurses Caring for Elders with Dementia
  Eun Kyoung Suh, Hye Ryoung Kim
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2019; 21(2): 99.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting the Care Burden of Nurses Caring Elderly Patients with Dementia
  Doo Ree Kim, Eun-Kyoung Han
  Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2019; 30(3): 368.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to provide deep understanding of the reported experiences of families with their loved one in the intensive care unit (ICU), focusing on interactions with healthcare providers.
METHODS
The data were collected by individual interviews of eleven participants. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify major themes and sub-themes that represented the experiences of families.
RESULTS
Five themes and 13 sub-themes emerged. “Captive of patients' delayed death: Fear and anxiety” describes psychological problems arising when the family member became critically ill enough to warrant being admitted to the ICU. “Families as the weak: Suppression and resistance” describes interpersonal difficulties arisingdue to lack of information and trust with healthcare providers. “Deprivation of authority and duty as families: Helplessness” illustrate situational barriers in attempting to protect and support family member. “Re-establishment of trust relationship with healthcare providers: Gratitude and appreciation” describes how they satisfied with themselves by regaining trust relationship. Lastly, “Acceptance of reality through direct care participation: Relief and peace” illustrates peace of mind by gaining sense of reality through active direct care participation.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates the positive and negative experiences of families with ICU patients. The results will be useful in developing family-centered nursing interventions.

Citations

• A Comparison of the Importance, Satisfaction, and Barrier Levels of Communication Performance between Family Members and Staff Nurses in Intensive Care Units
  Haetsal Hong, Myoungock Jang
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2025; 18(1): 55.     CrossRef
• The End-of-Life Experiences of Cancer Patients’ Families in a Tertiary Hospital Providing Palliative Care Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Hyoung Suk Han, Mi Young Kim
  Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care.2025; 28(2): 40.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Family Members With Visitation Prohibition for Critically Ill Patients
  Sunjung Kim, Sunghee H. Tak
  Western Journal of Nursing Research.2024; 46(11): 854.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting Intention of Signing the Advance Directives in Middle Aged Adults in Korea Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Cross-sectional Study
  Hyun Jeong Park, Kyu Eun Lee
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2024; 49(3): 279.     CrossRef
• The impact of family care visitation programme on patients and caregivers in the intensive care unit: A mixed methods study
  Hye Jin Yoo, JaeLan Shim
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2023; 32(13-14): 3797.     CrossRef
• Family's Perception of Proxy Decision Making to Authorize Do Not Resuscitate Order of Elderly Patients in Long Term Care Facility: A Q-Methodological Study
  Hyeon Jin Cho, Jiyeon Kang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2021; 51(1): 15.     CrossRef
• Challenges Experienced by Family Caregivers of the Adult Intensive Care Unit Patients in Korea: An Integrative Review
  JiYeon Choi, Judith A. Tate, Youn-Jung Son
  Clinical Nursing Research.2021; 30(4): 423.     CrossRef
• Effects of a person‐centred care intervention in an intensive care unit: Using mixed methods to examine nurses’ perspectives
  Hye Jin Yoo, JaeLan Shim
  Journal of Nursing Management.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Critical care nurses’ communication experiences with patients and families in an intensive care unit: A qualitative study
  Hye Jin Yoo, Oak Bun Lim, Jae Lan Shim, Liza Heslop
  PLOS ONE.2020; 15(7): e0235694.     CrossRef
• The Relationship between Person-Centered Nursing and Family Satisfaction in ICUs
  Jiyeon Kang, Eun-Ja Shin
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2019; 12(3): 1.     CrossRef
• Willingness to pay for family education and counselling services provided by critical care advanced practice nurses
  Chung Mee Ko, Chin Kang Koh, Sangho Kwon
  International Journal of Nursing Practice.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe the reported experiences of health management among twenty elderly workers living in urban areas.
METHODS
Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory approach was used to capture the meaning of health management. Theoretical sampling technique was used in the interviews. Using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, data were collected and analyzed simultaneously.
RESULTS
The core category was ‘pursuing health to take root in the workplace.’ Four stages of the elderly workers' health management were identified as ‘awareness of health changes’, ‘having the will to be healthy’, ‘utilization of health care resources’, and ‘reorganization of health habits.’ However, when the elderly workers reported limited capacity to manage their health, then two new categories were described: ‘awareness of health changes’ and ‘settlement with current health.’ CONCLUSION: To the elderly workers the concept of working was equated with being healthy. Further, the participants reported having a future oriented view of health and sought health to extend their working lives. The specialized intervention of health management targeting elderly workers in the settlement stage of current health habits should be provided.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of pursuing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in breast cancer patients.
METHODS
Ten women with breast cancer participated in the study. Data were collected through individual in-depth unstructured and individualized interviews with each participant from February to July, 2015. Theoretical sampling was used upto the point of theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using Corbin & Strauss's grounded theory methodology.
RESULTS
Through open coding, 22 sub-categories, and 13 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category was 'endless management of mind and body for healing', which consisted of four phases; exploring, applying, grasping, and integrating. Through this process, the participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as 'dealing with information', 'trying out blindly', 'enduring volitionally', 'experiencing effects on mind and body,' and 'grasping one's own way.' The consequences of these strategies were integrating the habit of health remedy into one's life, becoming a main agent for change, and tolerating one's weak body.
CONCLUSION
In-depth understanding of the CAM pursuing experiences of patients with breast cancer would guide clinical nurses and policy makers to develop effective interventions and policies for better supporting them with regard to the usage of CAM.

Citations

• Development and psychometric evaluation of the adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs scale for breast cancer survivors
  Sung Hae Kim, JuHee Lee
  Archives of Women's Mental Health.2024; 27(6): 961.     CrossRef
• Research Trends of Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Cancer Patients
  Moon Ju Oh, Hee Sun Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2022; 22(3): 163.     CrossRef
• Successful Outcome of Breast Cancer Patient Refusing Conventional Treatments: A Case Report
  Sanghun Lee, Kicheul Sohn, Songha Chon
  Journal of Korean Medicine.2018; 39(4): 177.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was aimed to explore and describe the disease experience of Korean women with eating disorders within psychological and sociocultural context.
METHODS
The participants were 12 young adult women suffering with eating disorders or have recovered from the diseases. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and analyzed according to the grounded theory methodology by Strauss and Corbin.
RESULTS
The core category of the disease experience was 'becoming the master of life through desperate efforts'. The disease experience was categorized into five different phases including 'falling under the influence of others', 'collapsing the self: life swallowed by loosening weight', 'facing the wrecked self', 'struggling between the self and others', 'truly facing the self'. The intervening conditions were various supporting systems such as 'support from family', 'economic support' and 'support from trustworthy health professionals'.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that it is necessary to develop nursing interventions to support women with eating disorders and alleviate their suffering from eating disorders. Also specialized educational programs are warranted to prevent the eating disorders, and to reduce social stigma of eating disorders.

Citations

• Illness Experiences of Adults with Spina Bifida: Protecting the Whole Self
  Seoung-Wha Lim, Myungsun Yi
  Asian Nursing Research.2021; 15(1): 67.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe the illness experience of patients with pressure ulcer.
METHODS
A phenomenological methodology was used for the study. The data were collected by individual in-depth interview with seven participants with pressure ulcer during 2013~2014. All interviews were audio-taped and verbatim transcripts were made for the analysis. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.
RESULTS
All participants had underlying disease, such as spinal paralysis and diabetes. Average period of having pressure ulcer was 18 months, ranged from 3 to 36 months. A total of seven theme clusters were derived from the analysis; unexpected wound, inherent vulnerability to infection, reversal of the treatment policy, unpleasant and strange feeling of wound, sweeping fear and helplessness, socioeconomic burden, and healing through specific actions and reflection. The participants faced various contradictory and paradoxical situations in managing their pressure ulcers as well as underlying diseases in their everyday life. However, they slowly overcome these situations by strictly practicing concrete action-oriented strategies that they have learned through suffering and appreciating miraculous wound healing.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study can help developing a patient-specific intervention program with sufficient emotional support by providing insights of the paradoxical illness experience of patients with pressure ulcer.

Citations

• Effectiveness of Devices for Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: A scoping Review
  Soo Youn Jung, Mina Park, Kyoung Ja Moon
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2022; 34(2): 123.     CrossRef
• Pressure distribution in tilting and reclining wheelchairs with an air cushion: A pilot study
  Hyunwoo Choi, Heymin Lee, Jeongwon Choi, Jisu Moon, Juhyang Jeong, Dohee Joo, Ingyu Yoo
  Biomedical Human Kinetics.2021; 13(1): 121.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was a qualitative study to explore and understand the adaptation experiences of hemodialysis among women with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and to develop a substantive theory using the grounded theory method.
METHODS
Participants were 15 female patients who underwent hemodialysis for ESRD treatment from three general hospitals. The data were collected through in-depth individual interviews.
RESULTS
The adaptation experience of participants was emerged as a process of taking care and enduring. There were four adaptation stages as a negative, despair, receptive, and maintenance period in reference to hemodialysis. The causal conditions were a vague expectations of recovery and refusal to undergo hemodialysis. The core phenomenon was that of confinement to dialysis machine. The contextual conditions for this phenomenon were the loss of femininity. They used action/interaction strategies such as transition their life with a focus on hemodialysis, seeking information, and learning how to take care of their body. Through this process, they had a strong will to live or had sustained their life.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that there is a need for nurses to understand the different steps of adaptation experiences of the given patient population. It is necessary for nurses to support them to lead their life as much normal as possible and improve the adaptation experience of ESRD.

Citations

• Progressing the understanding of chronic illness and its treatment: A post-human, ethological understanding of haemodialysis
  Victoria Cluley, Helen Eborall, Katherine Hull, Niamh Quann, James O Burton
  Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine.2024; 28(5): 716.     CrossRef
• Healthy life of Korean patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis: A situation-specific nursing theory
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho, Haeok Lee
  Applied Nursing Research.2022; 65: 151584.     CrossRef
• Ethnography on the Health Life of Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Failure
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2021; 33(2): 156.     CrossRef
• An Alternative View of a Hemodialysis–Life Balance: Life Reorganization of Korean Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
  Songsoon Kim, Jinhyang Yang
  Journal of Transcultural Nursing.2021; 32(6): 664.     CrossRef
• The Illness Adaptation Process of Patients Suffering from Atrial Fibrillation: Living a Life Managing the Silent Insurrection of the Heart
  A-Leum Han, Suhye Kwon
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(3): 326.     CrossRef
• Gender-based experiences on the survival of chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis for more than 20 years
  Mi-Kyoung Cho, Gisoo Shin
  Applied Nursing Research.2016; 32: 262.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to understand what are the experiences and management of type 2 diabetes in everyday lives among Korean people.
METHODS
A grounded theory method was utilized to explore how people with type 2 diabetes to experience and manage their disease under the Korean socio-cultural context. The data were collected via narrative in-depth interviews with 21 people with type 2 diabetes during 2010-2011 and all interviews were transcribed for verbatim analysis.
RESULTS
The core category was 'Rearranging everyday lives by accepting diabetes as lifelong annoying companion.' Four stages were identified: ignoring; struggling compromising and conciliating. Each stage illustrates major problems and/or strategies that the participants face in dealing with diabetes. The process illustrates the transference from their ordinary life, in which diabetes or health was ignored, to the health-oriented life, within which diabetes is integrated into their lives. The most difficult barriers they faced in everyday lives include social stigma of diabetes and collectivistic culture in Korea. Within the culture, the group goals are concerned over individual ones, making it harder for the participants to take care of their own health.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study imply that health care professionals may consider the influence of social stigma in caring diabetic patients. Also, the intervention study is warranted to educate Korean people with diabetes to get aware of the sociocultural context and stigma as well as personal difficulties in self-caring diabetes.

Citations

• The Mediating Effect of Acceptance Action in the Relationship between Diabetes Distress and Self-stigma among Old Adults with Diabetes in South Korea
  Hyesun Kim, Kawoun Seo
  Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2022; 33(4): 446.     CrossRef
• Association among Lifestyle Factors, Obesity, C-peptide Secretion, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Study
  Sun-Young Kwon, Hye-Ja Park
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2019; 44(2): 125.     CrossRef
• Samoan migrants’ perspectives on diabetes: A qualitative study
  Yasin Shahab, Olataga Alofivae‐Doorbinnia, Jennifer Reath, Freya MacMillan, David Simmons, Kate McBride, Penelope Abbott
  Health Promotion Journal of Australia.2019; 30(3): 317.     CrossRef
• A Review of Qualitative Research in Korea: The Life Experiences of Diabetes Patients
  Been Yoo
  The Journal of Korean Diabetes.2017; 18(4): 270.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of hospital nurses regarding their intention to stay at hospital.
METHODS
Experiential data were collected from 10 experienced nurses through in-depth interviews. The main question was "Could you describe your experience and your work during your years at the hospital?" Qualitative data from the field and transcribed notes were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology.
RESULTS
The core category of experience regarding hospital nurses' intention to stay was 'following a stable rather than a challenging path'. Participants used three interactional strategies: 'being encouraged via rapport with peers', 'accept reality', and 'find vitality in academic pursuits'.
CONCLUSION
The retention of experienced nurses is critical to human resource management in nursing departments. This study found that experienced nurses have a vague uncertainty about their future in the hospital. Therefore, nursing managers should support experienced nurses by providing them with the opportunities needed to develop their careers, by managing conflicts in nursing units, and by implementing new programs to increase confidence.

Citations

• Experiences of Career Nurses Balancing Clinical Nursing with Ongoing Studies
  Yunhyung Kim, Yeonsook Joo, Eun Hee Kang, Jeong Hye Kim
  Journal of Korean Association for Qualitative Research.2024; 9(3): 215.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Korean Nurses' Intention to Stay: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
  Sunhee Park, Taewha Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2018; 24(2): 139.     CrossRef
• The convergence study of Experience of Turnover in new graduate nurses within one year
  Young-Mi Kim, Sang-Nam Kim
  Journal of the Korea Convergence Society.2016; 7(4): 97.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of current study was to explore the positive outcomes of advanced practice nurse who have experienced the roles in their clinical settings.
METHODS
This study adopted a qualitative research design based on conventional content analysis. Participants were 16 nurse practitioners have been worked at hospitals or community centers. Data were collected via focus group interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis method.
RESULTS
Patients' aspect outcomes were "client-centered care in providing continuity", "providing trust based on expertise", "promoting skilled intervention in patient recovering", "blocking the negative consequences", "quality improvement: nursing becoming tighter", "providing total care for cases that require intensive care", "improving patients outcomes by total management", "increasing confidence in evidence-based professional nursing", "rising the satisfaction by cost-effective services", "providing skilled professional practice", and "providing comprehensive care related to covering various aspects." Other themes elicited also included "promoting efficacy by inter-related health professions supervising", "the expansion of specialized practice areas increase business efficiency", "formation of outside customers due to increasing the satisfaction with skilled nursing care", "filling in the emptying spaces of doctors by practicing reliable role to bridge", "attracting external customers through successful management of subjects", "increasing staff's satisfaction on the role to make a bridge between inside and outside doctors", "24 hours medical expertise of professional staff ready secured", and "low cost, same results, that is, cost-effective" in reference to health care resources aspect.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggested that advanced practice nurses perceived various positive outcomes and provided basic data for outcome indicators of advanced practice nurses' role.

Citations

• Job performance of nurses with gerontological nurse practitioner certification: A descriptive survey study
  Suyeon Kim, Minjae Lee, Sujin Shin
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2025; 27(2): 199.     CrossRef
• Reflections Professional Characteristics of Nurse Specialists
  Yeoung Ju Ju, Eun Mi Kim
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2024; 38(1): 71.     CrossRef
• Catalysts for change: A qualitative study of middle managers' perception of nursing professional competence in primary healthcare
  Choi Kristian Wiik, Anne Vifladt, Sevald Høye
  Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences.2024; 38(4): 854.     CrossRef
• A Systematic Review of Outcomes Research in the Hospital Pharmacists’ Interventions in South Korea
  So Young Lee, Eun Cho
  Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy.2019; 29(3): 193.     CrossRef
• Common Scope of Practice for Advanced Practice Nurses in Korea Derived from Expert Agreement
  Cho Sun Leem, Su Jung Choi, Kyung-Choon Lim, Young Hee Yi, Jae Sim Jeong, Yong Ae Shin, Young-ah Kang, Hayoung Park, Eun Mi Kim
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2019; 12(3): 35.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore and identify the role adaptation processes of family caregivers with patients transferred from intensive care unit to general ward.
METHODS
Using a grounded theory methodology, in-depth individual interviews were conducted. Data were collected from 11 participants. The participants were asked about their experiences of role adaptation considering situational contexts and interactional strategies. Transcribed data and field notes were analyzed using constant comparative analysis.
RESULTS
The core category was 'becoming almost a nurse with hope and fear.' The identified phenomena by the participants were the joy of being alive, having hope for a full recovery, anxiety and fear of uncertain future, feeling burdensome on a given role. The results included both role adaptation and mal-adaptation of caregivers.
CONCLUSION
The role adaptation processes of family caregiver with patients transferred from intensive care unit to general ward can be explained as becoming almost a nurse with hope and fear. The findings of the study provided fundamental information for developing programs to support the given family caregivers for successful role adaptation.

Citations

• Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire–Carer
  JuHee Lee, Young H. Sohn, Seok Jong Chung, Sung Hae Kim, Yujin Suh, Jungah Park, Yielin Kim
  Journal of Clinical Neurology.2023; 19(6): 547.     CrossRef
• Transfer anxiety in parents of children transferred from pediatric intensive care units to general wards in South Korea: a hybrid concept analysis
  Jisu Park, Eun Kyoung Choi
  Child Health Nursing Research.2022; 28(2): 154.     CrossRef
• Challenges Experienced by Family Caregivers of the Adult Intensive Care Unit Patients in Korea: An Integrative Review
  JiYeon Choi, Judith A. Tate, Youn-Jung Son
  Clinical Nursing Research.2021; 30(4): 423.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to provide understanding about the meaning of nasogastric tube feeding experiences by the cerebral stoke patients with dysphagia.
METHODS
Data were collected through a face to face interview from five cerebral stroke patients who had dysphagia along with a nasogastric tube insertion. The contents of the interviews were analyzed using the hermeneutics phenomenological method developed by van Manen.
RESULTS
The experience of having a nasogastric tube was not only limited to physical problems but also was linked to other psychological problems. Many patients reported that they tolerated the nasogastric tube in order to overcome the stroke along with the desire to eventually take food orally. The essential themes associated with the experience of nasogastric tube insertion were: "The loss of pleasure from food", "The loss of human relationship from surrounding table", "Cower and shrink from the different appearance to others" and "Acceptance for life in painful experiences".
CONCLUSION
This study would highlights the importance of not only physical focused care but also psychological and social aspects. Therefore, nurses should consider all factors when providing nursing care to stroke patient with nasogastric tube feeding.

Citations

• Dysphagia and quality of life: a narrative review
  Jung Mi Song
  Annals of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.2024; 16(2): 43.     CrossRef
• Community-based group rehabilitation program for stroke patients with dysphagia on quality of life, depression symptoms, and swallowing function: a randomized controlled trial
  Chen Yang, Fei Zhao, Chunqing Xie, Yaowen Zhang, Zulin Dou, Xiaomei Wei
  BMC Geriatrics.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Dietary Habits, Food Product Selection Attributes, Nutritional Status, and Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Dysphagia
  Dahyeon Ko, Jieun Oh, Soyoung Joo, Ju Yeon Park, Mi Sook Cho
  Nutrients.2022; 14(19): 4045.     CrossRef
• Combined Effects of NMES and Mendelsohn Maneuver on the Swallowing Function and Swallowing–Quality of Life of Patients with Stroke-Induced Sub-Acute Swallowing Disorders
  Haewon Byeon
  Biomedicines.2020; 8(1): 12.     CrossRef
• The mediating and moderating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia
  Ju‐Yeun Kim, Young Whee Lee, Hwa‐Soon Kim, Eun‐Hyun Lee
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2019; 28(15-16): 2782.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was a grounded theory research aimed at generating a substantive theory that accounts for the explanatory social processes in which immigrant Korean single-mother families were engaged in the United States.
METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 immigrant Korean single mothers who were living with children under 18 years of age at the time of the interviews. Data collection guided by theoretical sampling and concurrent constant comparative analysis of the transcribed data was conducted to identify the core social process.
RESULTS
The emerged core social process was "living for the children," which represented the driving process by which these women made transition to their new lives as single-mother families. The major task throughout the entire transition was re-creating their families. The women's transition involved practical and psychological transitions. The practical transition involved three stages: assuring family survival, struggling between the father role and the mother role, and stabilizing. The psychological transition involved becoming strong and settling in with a new supportive network.
CONCLUSION
Study results added to the literature by elaborating the women's emphasis on maternal identity and the resilience-provoking nature of the women's transitions.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of breast cancer self-help group activities in Korea.
METHODS
The data were collected via individual in-depth interviews with 8 women with breast cancer, who participated in self-help groups during 2012~2013. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, and they were analyzed using a phenomenological method.
RESULTS
Six theme clusters were identified. "Breakthrough toward survival" describes how the participants identified self-help groups and got involved in the activities. "Genuine comfort obtained by 'misery loves company' deals with the emotional relief and catharsis. "New life fully recharged" demonstrates the changed belief system and the joy for life and living. "Rebirth in family" deals with how family dynamics has been changed. "Societal change by raising collective consciousness" illustrates many activities to improve their rights and advocate employment issues. "Obstacles to the group harmony" illustrates the major difficulties including interpersonal conflicts the participants encountered during their participation.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study showed that participating in self-help groups was mostly beneficial for women with breast cancer. Therefore, oncology professionals need to encourage them to participate in self-help groups and also need to provide professional support to self-help groups for their harmonious interpersonal relationships.

Citations

• Health-related quality of life of premenopausal young breast cancer survivors undergoing endocrine therapy
  Kyungmi Lee, Hye Suk Jun
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2024; 68: 102496.     CrossRef
• Experiences of peer support activities and the need for a metaverse-based program in young women with breast cancer: A qualitative study
  Jeonghee Ahn, Kyoung-eun Lee
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 10(7): 100253.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Accessing Medical Services after Diagnosis in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Jae Woo Oh, Mi Ran Kim
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2022; 25(1): 22.     CrossRef
• Operation Experiences of Women with Breast Cancer
  Hyeon-Young Kim, Sun Hwa Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2020; 27(2): 129.     CrossRef
• Relationships Among Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Community Participation in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Hye-Mi Kim, Gyeong-A Park, Jin-Ju Park, Myung-Hwa Oh
  Journal of Korean Society of Occupational Therapy.2019; 27(4): 69.     CrossRef
• Journey through the Fight against Ovarian Cancer: Finding the Existence Value with being Tied to the Bridle of Death
  Young-Suk Park, Jeong Sook Park
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2018; 30(6): 656.     CrossRef
• Effect of empowerment on the quality of life of the survivors of breast cancer: The moderating effect of self‐help group participation
  Sunhwa Shin, Hyojung Park
  Japan Journal of Nursing Science.2017; 14(4): 311.     CrossRef
• Analysis of Nursing Needs of Home-dwelling Breast Cancer Patients Based on Counselling Contents
  Eun Ja Kim, Jin Sook Hyun, Jung Hwa Han, Nahyun Kim
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2016; 30(3): 420.     CrossRef
• Exploring Existential Coping Resources: The Perspective of Koreans with Cancer
  Fereshteh Ahmadi, Jisung Park, Kyung Mee Kim, Nader Ahmadi
  Journal of Religion and Health.2016; 55(6): 2053.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Self-management Support among Breast Cancer Survivors
  Seok-Mo Heo, Narae Heo
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2016; 28(4): 470.     CrossRef
• Development and Validation of the Empowerment Scale for Woman with Breast Cancer
  Sun Hwa Shin, Hyojung Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2015; 45(4): 613.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the communication experience of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in the workplace.
METHODS
The present study utilized a qualitative approach using focus group interview method. A total of three focus groups of 15 ICU nurses from two university hospitals were formed. The conversations during the focus group interviews were recorded and analyzed through Colaizzi's phenomenological method.
RESULTS
As a result of analyzing participants' conversation, Five theme clusters were elicited, namely, "one-way communication", "differences in the position of senior and junior nurses", "communication crisis", "beginning of understanding", and "movement toward change" out of 15 themes and 138 significant sentences.
CONCLUSION
ICU nurses report having experienced communication crisis because of the one-way communication of the ICU nursing environment and the hierarchical differences in junior and senior nurses' position. Systematic education and continuous training on communication skills need to be provided to improve interpersonal relationship among nurses and work environment in the ICUs.

Citations

• A Comparison of the Importance, Satisfaction, and Barrier Levels of Communication Performance between Family Members and Staff Nurses in Intensive Care Units
  Haetsal Hong, Myoungock Jang
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2025; 18(1): 55.     CrossRef
• Experience of Clinical Adaptation among Nurses in Intensive Care Unit
  Jin Young Hong, Sue Kyung Sohn
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2024; 17(1): 1.     CrossRef
• A Survey on Situation-related Communication Educational Needs for Novice Intensive Care Unit Nurses
  Wonjung Hwang, Jeongmin Ha, Dahye Park
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2024; 17(1): 17.     CrossRef
• Effects of Personality Traits and Mentalization on Workplace Bullying Experiences among Intensive Care Unit Nurses
  Sun Joo Jang, Eunhye Kim, Haeyoung Lee, Amanda Jane Henderson
  Journal of Nursing Management.2023; 2023: 1.     CrossRef
• Nurses’ experiences of caring for severe COVID-19 patients
  Myoung Mi Kang, Ye Na Park, Seong Young Park, Ju Hyun Kim
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2022; 15(2): 14.     CrossRef
• Person-Centered Care Practice, Patient Safety Competence, and Patient Safety Nursing Activities of Nurses Working in Geriatric Hospitals
  Ayoung Huh, Juh Hyun Shin
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(10): 5169.     CrossRef
• ICU nurses’ experiences of feeling hurt by medical personnel
  Jung-Hoon Lee, Yeoungsuk Song
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2021; 27(4): 347.     CrossRef
• A Study the Relationships among Verbal Violence Experience, Job Stress, and Resilience and the Communication Ability of Operating Room Nurses
  Hyejung Jung, Yoonshin Lee, Sung Hee Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2020; 26(2): 120.     CrossRef
• The Relationship between the Work Environment and Person-centered Critical Care Nursing for Intensive Care Nurses
  Jiyeon Kang, Yun Mi Lim
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2019; 12(2): 73.     CrossRef
• Experience of Communication for Patient Safety by Perioperative Nurses
  Shinae Ahn, Nam-Ju Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2019; 25(4): 329.     CrossRef
• Emergency department nurses’ experience of performing CPR in South Korea
  Mi-ran Lee, Chiyoung Cha
  International Emergency Nursing.2018; 38: 29.     CrossRef
• Reliability and Validity of the Assessment Tool for Measuring Communication Skills in Nursing Simulation Education
  Hee Mo Yang, Seon Young Hwang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2016; 28(1): 95.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and essence of good nursing from the perspective of patients undergoing hemodialysis.
METHODS
The data were collected through in-depth interviews of five hemodialysis patients who have been dialyzed for one year or longer. The data analysis was conducted using the Giorgi's phenomenological method.
RESULTS
The findings included six constituents and 13 sub-constituents. The six constituents were 'prompt and skillful response to mitigate distress', 'careful attention to provide relief', 'individualized education to promote self-management', 'an intimate relationship to regain isolated ego', 'warmhearted support to encourage strength to live in a exhausting life', and 'providing of comfortable environment to maintain stability'.
CONCLUSION
From the perspective of the hemodialysis patients, the concept of good nursing should stem from the integration of nurses' scientific knowledge, expert skills, and moral sensitivity. The finding suggests that strategies to develop nursing interventions for hemodialysis patients will be required on the basis of understanding of their sociocultural contexts and familism.

Citations

• Subjectivity study on health conservation of elderly hemodialysis patients
  Eunji Yim, Mijin Yun, Sohyune Sok
  BMC Geriatrics.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Anxiety, Nursing Satisfaction Level, and Experience of Users of The General Health Checkup Center: A Mixed Methods Study
  Eun Kook Kim, Hyejin Hyun, Yeon Jeong Heo
  Journal of Korean Association for Qualitative Research.2024; 9(3): 242.     CrossRef
• The effect of using vapocoolant spray for pain reduction in arteriovenous fistula cannulation among patients undergoing hemodialysis: A randomized control trial
  Kyungmi Lee, Dohee Kim, Hyunyoung Lee, Euna Lee
  Applied Nursing Research.2023; 71: 151674.     CrossRef
• Healthy life of Korean patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis: A situation-specific nursing theory
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho, Haeok Lee
  Applied Nursing Research.2022; 65: 151584.     CrossRef
• Effects of Thermomechanical Stimulation Intervention during Arteriovenous Fistula Puncture on Hemodialysis Patients’ Pain, Anxiety, and Stress
  Jin-Na Jang, Sunjoo Boo, Sun Hyoung Bae, Jeong-Ah Ahn
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2022; 34(2): 205.     CrossRef
• Nurses' perspectives of the patient care experience assessment items using importance–performance analysis
  Hyo Jin Kang, Soyoung Yu
  Journal of Nursing Management.2022; 30(7): 3247.     CrossRef
• Patients' and Nurses' Perceptions of What Constitutes Good Nursing Care: An Integrative Review
  Kyungmi Lee, Su Hyun Kim
  Research and Theory for Nursing Practice.2020; 34(2): 144.     CrossRef
• Development of the Patient Caring Communication Scale
  Myoung Lyun Heo, Sook Bin Im
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2019; 49(1): 80.     CrossRef
• Predictors Influencing of Medication Adherence in Hemodialysis Patients
  Hana Kim, Eunha Kim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(3): 283.     CrossRef
• Chronically Ill Patients' Perception of Hospital Nurses
  Byoung-Sook Lee, Mi-Aie Lee, Yong-Sook Eo
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2018; 48(3): 311.     CrossRef
• Influence of Experiencing Verbal Abuse, Job Stress and Burnout on Nurses' Turnover Intention in Hemodialysis Units
  Sun-ae Joung, Kyung-Yeon Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2016; 22(2): 189.     CrossRef
• Hemodialysis Patients' Experience of Adapting to Dietary Therapy
  Eun Kyung Yang, Il-Ok Kim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2016; 28(3): 323.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the every day life experience of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the recovery period after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) using a qualitative approach.
METHODS
Twelve patients with AMI participated in this study. Their age ranged from 42 to 75. The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews and all interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using traditional qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Six sub-themes emerged from the data as follows: Getting to know about illness, getting motivated for health behavior, putting an effort into health behavioral change, having difficulties maintaining health behavior, setting up coping strategies for health behavior and having a need for a tailored education. The results of this study showed how the health behaviors of patients with AMI are related to their every day life experiences.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study could help health professionals to better understand patients with AMI and design effective educational interventions to improve their health behaviors.

Citations

• Prediction Model for Health-related Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients According to Stress Level
  Minju Kim, Ju Youn Choi
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2025; 32(3): 320.     CrossRef
• The Relationship among Death Anxiety, Knowledge and Attitudes toward Advance Directives in Middle-Aged Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
  Mi Young Suh, Jeong Sun Kim
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2021; 23(3): 226.     CrossRef
• Factors influencing health behavior practice in patients with coronary artery diseases
  Ho Gi Jung, Ya Ki Yang
  Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Lifestyle and Quality of Life in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Propensity-Matched Comparison with a Healthy Control Group
  Seong Hui Choi, Seon Young Hwang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(2): 199.     CrossRef
• A Health Behavior Prediction Model for Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
  Jiyoung Kim, Oksoo Kim
  Clinical Nursing Research.2019; 28(2): 217.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to explore work experience among nurses with low back pain. Specific aims were to identify problems nurses face as workers at a hospital and how they interact with other workers.
METHODS
Grounded theory methodology was utilized. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork with individual in-depth interviews from 9 nurses with low back pain as key informants, and a head nurse and a charge nurse who had experiences working with nurses with low back pain as general informants.
RESULTS
Through constant comparative analysis, a core category emerged as "to make one's own ground". The process of "to make one's own ground" was identified as four categories: perception of limitations, intervening conditions, balancing limitations, and controlling limitations. Intervening conditions were identified as 'working conditions' and 'personal traits'.
CONCLUSION
Findings of the study indicate that there is a need for health professionals and administrators to understand limitations to working experience among nurses with low back pain. In addition, institutional and psychological support program is needed to improve an adaptation to working environment among nurses with low back pain.

PURPOSE
Liver transplantation (LT) is the best treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and most patients with LT return to their normal life. However, pregnancy and childbirth for women with LT are less common, mainly because it is considered to be dangerous for their health. The purpose of this study was to describe how Korean women after LT experience their pregnancy and childbirth.
METHODS
This study was designed to explore the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth of women with LT. Data were collected by individual in-depth interviews with four women who were pregnant and gave birth following LT in 2009. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Four themes emerged as a result of analysis: recovery of lost feminity and marriage; fulfilling roles through pregnancy; life-risking pregnancy; and perfect family achieved by childbirth. These themes describe in detail about challenges and concerns the women with LT faced for their pregnancy and childbirth as well as many emotionally touching experiences.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study would support health professionals to be better prepared to help women with LT for pregnancy and childbirth by providing in-depth and insightful information.

Citations

• Lived Experiences of Korean Young Adults After Heart Transplantation: A Phenomenological Approach
  Hye Jin Yoo, Eunyoung E. Suh
  Asian Nursing Research.2021; 15(2): 89.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to describe the process of healthy dieting and develop a substantive theory that explains lifestyle in obese male college students.
METHODS
The participants were 11 students who had participated in self-dieting program in a health center. Data were collected with in-depth interviews and analyzed by grounded theory in Strauss and Corbin (1990).
RESULTS
Through analyzing process, 36 concepts, 18 subcategories, and nine categories were deduced. In axial coding, casual condition, 'shrinking themselves' and 'oriented to selfish lifestyle', context condition, 'distress in mutual understanding' impacted on phenomenon, 'making health with autonomous living pattern'. Intervening conditions were 'practicing with active measures' and 'growing the willpower' and action-interaction condition, 'devoting realistic plan with positiveness' totally lead to consequence in 'regaining social relationship' and 'pursuing harmonious sound of mind and body'. The periods of process were divided four stages, reflecting self-characteristics, situational copping phase, applying period realistic strategies, and developing phase of social relationship. The core category, 'developing communication competency' incorporated the relationship between and among all categories and explained the process.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that self leading health program helped to develop the communication competency. Therefore, we would consider about internalized motives and external incentives in health programs.

Citations

• A Narrative Inquiry of Fitness Models’ Diet Experience
  Woo-Jeong Jang, Wi-Young So, Hyungsik Jo, Eui-Jae Lee
  The Asian Journal of Kinesiology.2025; 27(2): 90.     CrossRef
• A qualitative study on the failed weight-loss experiences of college students with obesity and overweight
  Sook Youn Lee, Keum Bok Ko, Nahyun Kim
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2020; 37(2): 43.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Yoga and Pilates Training on Obesity Indexes, muscle mass in each body part and Physical Fitness in Male College Students
  Ji-Sun Kim
  Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(9): 5888.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This qualitative study was designed to explore and describe the nursing staff reported experiences of managing the medical needs of nursing home residents in South Korea.
METHODS
Using a focus group interview method, qualitative data were collected from March to May 2012. Twenty five registered nurses and nurse aids working in nursing homes were recruited through a convenient sampling method. Participants participated in one of four focus group interviews lasted up to two hours in which their day-to-day experiences of taking care of the medical needs of the elderly residents. All interviews were recorded and transcribed in verbatim, and analyzed according to the qualitative thematic analysis method using MAXQDA software.
RESULTS
The overriding theme was 'experiencing differences between the requirements of the regulatory system and the actual reality of the work place.' The findings of differences between what were true and what is required was based in four subcategories. The nursing home residents had far more medical needs than what were reported. Another finding was that the family members were seen as non-supportive and negligent towards the residents.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study support the need for changes in the regulatory system. The regulatory limitations of current system with a shortage of resources pushed the participants to experience discrepancies between the required regulation and the reality. Additional research could contribute more exemplars to support changes.

Citations

• Long-term care and the medical needs of frail older adults: Policy implications for developing an integrated care system
  Eun Jung Han, Yongseok Choi, Yeongwoo Park, Hanram Park, Yoon-Min Cho
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2025; 42(4): 29.     CrossRef
• Effects of registered nurses' staffing levels, work environment and education levels on nursing home residents' quality of life and nurse outcomes
  Eunhee Cho, Deulle Min, Seok‐Jae Heo, Kyoungeun Lee, Hyejin Kim
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2023; 32(17-18): 6494.     CrossRef
• Registered Nurses’ Experiences of End-of-Life Care in Nursing Homes of South Korea: A Qualitative Study
  Soo-Jung Chang
  Healthcare.2022; 10(11): 2213.     CrossRef
• End-of-life care practices in Korean nursing homes: A national survey
  Hyejin Kim, Jeonghyun Cho, JungSuk Lee
  International Journal of Nursing Studies.2022; 129: 104173.     CrossRef
• Comparison of Food Service Provision by Food Service Operational Types for Residential Facilities
  Jin Hee Kwon, Rah Il Hwang, Hyeon Jin Jeong, Hye Min Jang
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2022; 47(4): 258.     CrossRef
• Breaking the vicious circle of diet, malnutrition and oral health for the independent elderly
  Maria Αntoniadou, Theodoros Varzakas
  Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.2021; 61(19): 3233.     CrossRef
• Relationships among Person-Centered Care Competence, Empathy, Mindfulness and Difficulties in Emotional Regulation among Undergraduate Nursing Students
  Hee Kyung Chang, Young Joo Do, Sang Mi Han, Bo Ram Kim
  Korean Journal of Stress Research.2021; 29(2): 97.     CrossRef
• Useful lessons for the provision of services in long-term care facilities in South Korea: operators’ experiences illuminate the phenomenon of working with the elderly in the field
  Young Ran Tak, Hae Young Woo, Lee Han Yi, Ah Rim Kim
  International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Pre- and Perioperative Risk Factors of Post Hip Fracture Surgery Walking Failure in the Elderly
  YoungJi Ko
  Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Nurse Case Managers' Experiences on Case Management for Long-term Hospitalization in Korea
  Jinjoo Oh, Seieun Oh
  Asian Nursing Research.2017; 11(4): 283.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Participation in Dementia Prevention Program for Older Adults in Nursing Homes
  Sun Ok Lim, Hyun Mi Jo
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2016; 19(2): 128.     CrossRef
• A Study on Working Conditions and Factors Related to Job Satisfaction of Nurses in the Long-term Care facilities for the Elderly
  JungSuk Lee, RahIl Hwang, MinKyung Lim
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2015; 29(3): 551.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to understand the meaning of the DNR experiences of nurses.
METHODS
The data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and field records with five nurses from November 2009 to February 2011. The data were analyzed using narrative inquiry methodology.
RESULTS
Three fundamental themes were derived from data analysis as following: 'faithfulness to care for comfort,' 'helping for peaceful farewells between the patient and the family,' 'reflecting one's lives with a collision of feeling toward the death.' CONCLUSION: The results indicate that nurses take a role of an advocate in caring for DNR patients and being concerned about their families' conflict and anguish. In addition, this study indicates the importance of education on living will, advanced directives and preparation for the death tailored to the public including healthcare professionals.

Citations

• Burnout and Related Factors of Nurses Caring for DNR Patients in Intensive Care Units, South Korea
  Sohyune Sok, Hyebeen Sim, Bokhee Han, Se Joung Park
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(23): 8899.     CrossRef
• Long-term Care Hospital Nurses' Awareness and Ethical Attitudes toward DNR
  Kye Ha Kim, Sun Jin Jeong
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2019; 21(2): 61.     CrossRef
• Lived Experience of Primary Decision - Makers Regarding Do-Not-Resuscitate Instruction: Using Parse's Method
  Eun Young Lee, Sung Rae Shin
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(5): 540.     CrossRef
• Effects on Turnover Intention due to Terminal Care Stress of Nurses Working in Long-term Care Hospitals
  Shin-young Ha, Jun-Ah Song
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2018; 20(3): 217.     CrossRef
• Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment from Children: Experiences of Nurses Caring for the Children
  So Yeon Park, Hyeon Ok Ju, Ga Eon Lee
  Child Health Nursing Research.2017; 23(3): 364.     CrossRef
• Attitudes and Type Analysis of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation among Hospital Nurses in Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units
  Eun-Ho Ha, Kyoung-Soon Hyun
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2017; 29(5): 484.     CrossRef
• Intensive Care Nurses’ Experiences of Death of Patients with DNR Orders
  Ji Yun Lee, Yong Mi Lee, Jae In Jang
  The Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care.2017; 20(2): 122.     CrossRef
• Predictors of Agreement With Writing Advance Directives Among Older Korean Adults
  Jaewon Park, Jun-Ah Song
  Journal of Transcultural Nursing.2016; 27(6): 574.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Performance of End-of-life Care by ICU Nurses
  Mun Jung Ko, So-Hyun Moon
  Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2016; 25(4): 327.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore health-related experiences of the foreign wives.
METHODS
A qualitative research design was used to understand the health-related experiences of foreign wives. Ten informants were interviewed from December 2007 to December 2009.
RESULTS
The health related life experiences of foreign wives were analyzed within a self development process; Choice and struggle, Change and opportunity, and Settlement and expectation. The theme of choice and struggle includes physical and emotional stress in the initial stage of marriage. The second process of change and opportunity focused on the coping strategies of the women having power after knowledge acquisition from the multicultural family support center. The last theme was health and happiness from the women' perspectives.
CONCLUSION
This study has emphasized the health condition of the foreign wives. Since foreign wives are members of Korean society, health care professionals need to design health services to meet their needs.

PURPOSE
This study was to explore the process of belongingness experienced during the apprentice course for advanced practice nurses. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 people, who attended the apprentice course for advanced practice nurse, from three schools in Seoul from Jan. 19 until Feb. 25, 2010. The constant comparative method was adapted for data analysis. RESULTS: The core category of this study was the 'learning-connected process' and this process was categorized into three stages. These stages were: going along with the atmosphere, exchanging, and integrating. During the course, the 'uncomfortable participation' as the central idea meant a sense of responsibility and a tension about practice learning of the participant and was influenced by the quality of interaction and the distinct instruction of learning contents. Belongingness was characterized by the Joyful and happy participation which linked to the motivation of new learning opportunities. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that there is a process to belongingness and a close relationship between belongingness and learning. Further studies would suggest exploring the components of belongingness, a concept analysis and incorporating the belongingness scale with other qualitative research on this topic.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to describe psychosocial difficulties experienced by cancer patients.
METHODS
Three focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data from 19 outpatients with cancer undergoing treatments during 2009. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis of grounded theory.
RESULTS
As a result of constant comparative analysis, 'psychosocial distress' was identified as a core category, and seven subcategories were identified. 'Plunged into negative emotions' and 'damaged self-identity' were identified as major categories in the individual dimension. 'Difficulty in dealing with diagnosis' and 'hasty expectations and concerns' were identified in the dimension of family. 'Inefficient communication' and 'lack of necessary information' were identified in the dimension of health care setting. 'Lonely journey into a strange territory' was identified in the dimension of society.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study indicate that cancer patients experience a wide range of psychosocial problems. Thus, in assessing and relieving psychosocial distress of cancer patients, it is necessary to focus not only on the level of the individual but also on the levels of family, health care setting, and society in general is necessary.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to discover the essence and the structure of the experiences of weight control by nursing students.
METHODS
Participants were 12 nursing students who had tried losing weight at C university in Busan, Korea. The data were collected from June 17 to August 6, 2006. For the purpose of this study, focus group discussions and in depth interviews were employed.
RESULTS
The collected data were analyzed by using Giorgi's method. As the results of the analysis, the following four components of experience were derived: My appearance looked abnorml; Measures for self-realization; Pursuit of my own way only; Feelings of accomplishment and self confidence.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to develop an effective weight control program with minimized side effects that are harmful to health, based on the components of the nursing students' experiences in weight control that were identified in this study.