Sjuksköterskors behov av reflektion inom somatisk- och psykiatrisk barnsjukvård: en enkätstudie

Sammanfattning: Background: To work as a nurse in children’s care can be stressful and challenging. Reflection sessions could be a way to enhance nurses caring competence and develop greater working skills as well as lowering the risk for unhealthy stress among the nurses because of the amount of stress that leads to them quitting their jobs. Reflection is an important way to keep proceeding the way of nursing and gives the nurses an opportunity to discuss experiences and ethically challenging situations. Aim: The aim for the study was to investigate the nurses' need for reflection while working in a children’s hospital.  Method: The study was carried out by mixed–method, with both qualitative and quantitative parts. The qualitative part was analyzed with the method of Elo and Kyngäs (2008) way of content analysis. The quantitative part was analyzed by descriptive statistics.  Result: There were 88 nurses from six wards at a children’s hospital that responded to the survey. They all thought that there was a great need for reflection sessions and that it was an important part of the job. They wished for the sessions to take place regularly and that there was room for both group sessions as well as individual sessions. The enhancement of competence, improved team spirit and the quality and safety among the nurses were all factors that developed through regular reflection sessions. The need was greater if a difficult event had occurred in the wards. If the reflection sessions weren't scheduled, it could lead to increased stress among the nurses, a feeling of insecurity, a deterioration of the working environment and affected personal relationships.  Conclusion: Reflection gives the nurses an opportunity to gain a higher competence and give better care for the patients. The need for reflection was fundamental for the nurses, regardless of age and number of years working.