This thesis explores the role of the nurse on an Acute Medical Admissions Unit (AMAU). AMAUs provide a dedicated area for the assessment, treatment, and subsequent transfer or discharge of patients who are medical emergencies. Despite increasing numbers of AMAUs across the UK they are an under researched area and, in particular, there is limited research that has explored the role of the nurse in the AMAU setting. Data were generated through the use of ethnography that entailed participant observation over an eighteen-month period, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and patients (n= 19), and examination of documentary evidence. Drawing on the concept of communities of practice (Wenger 1998) and the demand-control-social support model of occupational stress (Baker et al., 1996) the key themes of the study were identified as: The AMAU nurse's role in co-ordinating patients ' transition; Professional skills and attributes o f the AMAU nurse; 7 love the buzz': the AMAU nurses' work place stresses and balances; and Organisational constraints and practice boundaries for AMA U nursing The findings from the study indicate that a key aspect of the AMAU nurse's role was the facilitation of rapid patient transition. In addition the study has identified the distinctive and locally negotiated working practices developed by the nurses to coordinate this transition. Another important claim arising from this study was the identification of this nursing role as an evolved construction within a community of practice. This study makes a significant contribution to the limited body of knowledge regarding AMAU nursing practice by aiding understanding of the complexity of this nursing role. Additionally, the application of the concept of community of practice provides a unique perspective and insight into this under explored role. Recommendations are offered for practice, education, management and future research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:616975 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Griffiths, Pauline |
| Publisher | Swansea University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42820 |
Page generated in 0.0017 seconds