Intensive Care Unit Nurses’ Perceptions of and Coping Strategies for Motherhood Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the perception of intensive care unit nurses in relation to their motherhood experiences and coping strategies. Ten intensive care unit nurses (aged 28–37 years) with children under 3 years old were recruited. In-depth 90-min interviews were conducted, and the contents of the audio recordings were translated into verbatim transcripts. From the results of the research analysis, three themes were identified: challenges and conflicts of motherhood, dilemma in life and work balance, and maternal engagement. The “challenges and conflicts of motherhood” and “dilemma in life and work” represent the maternal experiences, while “maternal engagement” is the coping strategy used. To establish a friendly working environment and policies, nursing managers should consider improving the friendliness of work units and encourage co-workers to support each other in the hospital.