Characteristics of a healing environment as described by expert nurses who practice within the conceptual framework of Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings: A qualitative study\r\n

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe characteristics of a healing environment from a nursing perspective. This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretive descriptive method consistent with a naturalistic inquiry model. A purposeful sample of 9 expert nurses who practice within the conceptual framework of Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings was selected. Data were collected in phone interviews. Fourteen themes were inferred from the subject interviews, and were organized into three categories correspondent to three of the research questions; manifestations of healing, relationships and conditions characteristic of a healing environment, and nursing practices and processes identified as facilitative of healing. The investigator integrated the thematic findings from subject responses with conceptions inferred from the interviews as a whole to formulate an interpretive narrative description of seven characteristics of a healing environment: 1) the client defines focus and nature of his/her healing experience; 2) relational experiences are recognized and treated as central energetic influence in creating a healing environment; 3) nurses and nursing’s unique professional role are understood, valued, and supported as a dimension of the health care organization’s culture; 4) the nurse is recognized within the health care setting as the professional with the potential for the greatest impact in creating a healing environment; 5) nursing practice is theory based with a professional focus on designing client centered care that facilitates healing; 6) the organizational culture supports balancing individualization of healing experiences with standardization of best curative practices; 7) a healing philosophy is embedded in the professional culture and organizational core values. Conclusions were: a) confirmed congruence between themes and SUHB core concepts; b) relationship is the most powerful influence on healing process; c) nursing’s role is central to creating a healing environment; d) theory based practice is essential to professional level care; and e) individualizing and partnering are as critical to healing as best practices and clinical standardization are to curing. The investigator recommended specific questions to research, education and practice leaders to address nursing’s capacity to create healing environment and existing deterrents to reaching this potential.