Date of Award

Spring 5-19-2021

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PhD Nursing

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Bonnie Sturm, Ed.D.

Committee Member

Kristi Stinson, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Judith Lothian, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Kimberly Conway, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Munira Wells, Ph.D.

Keywords

Pain, pain management, emergency department, nurse, interpretive description, qualitative

Abstract

Over 130 million people seek care in emergency departments (ED) in the United States annually. Most patients who seek treatment in emergency departments are experiencing a painful condition, and as such, ED nurses should have a deep understanding of pain management in the ED. There is limited qualitative research which explores pain management from the nurses’ perspective. The purpose of this study is to describe pain management from the nurse’s perspective. Thorne’s (2005) method of Interpretive Description guided this qualitative inquiry. New knowledge describing the nature of pain management in the ED provides insight into elements which support and impede the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and veracity. This knowledge fills a gap in the literature and will inform nursing research, education, and practice.

Share

COinS