Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major Professor

Martha R. Alligood

Committee Members

Sandra Thomas, Maureen Groer

Abstract

In this study, the investigator examined the phenomenon of intuition in nursing. Nurses have long believed intuition to be an important aspect of their clinical practice. Only recently, however, has intuition become a focus of nursing research.

The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experience and use of intuition by medical/surgical nurses in their clinical practice. The investigator posed four questions. First, do all medical/surgical nurses acknowledge use of intuition in the clinical setting? Secondly, how do medical/surgical nurses who acknowledge use of intuition in the clinical setting describe the experience? Thirdly, how do medical/surgical nurses describe the nature of the client-nurse relationship when intuitive insights occur? And, Fourthly, how do medical/surgical nurses who use intuition in the clinical setting perceive its outcome?

In Phase I of the study, the investigator addressed question 1, the prevalence of intuition in medical/surgical nurses. The sample consisted of 23 staff nurses between the ages of 25 and 65 years, with 2 to 42 years of medical/surgical nursing experience, employed on three medical/surgical units in a large urban medical center. The subjects completed a close-ended, structured questionnaire designed to identify analytical and intuitive clinical decision-making methods. Findings support the proposed prevalence of intuitive experiences with medical/surgical nurses. A majority of the sample (95%) acknowledged the use of both analytical and intuitive clinical decision-making methods.

In Phase II of the study, the investigator used ethnographic methodology to address questions 2, 3, and 4. The sample consisted of 8 of the subjects who participated in Phase I of the study. These nurses ranged in age from 27 to 58 years, with 2 to 22 years medical/surgical nursing experience. A Focus group technique was applied to elicit descriptions regarding their intuitive experiences, their perceptions of the nature of the interpersonal relations with clients when intuitive insights occurred, and patient outcomes when applying intuitively derived knowledge. Content analysis was applied to the transcripts of the focus group meetings. Consistent with previous studies, intuition was found to be a human way of knowing about the individual and contextual particulars of holistic humans, occurring within the interpersonal interaction between the nurse and the client. However, although the nurses in this study demonstrated the use of intuitive processes in coming to know, they were unfamiliar with the concept of intuition and its role in knowing and perception. These nurses attributed more extraordinary knowledge about patients, rather than ordinary aspects, as intuitively derived.

Concerning nurse-perceived patient outcomes when intuitively derived knowledge was applied, reports from these nurses were strikingly positive. The positive patient outcomes were related to more complete patient care and improved patient survival.

The findings of this study have significant implications for nursing practice. Through recognition and respect of intuitive processes in their decision-making, nurses will expand the knowledge resources available to them in understanding holistic humans. From this broader understanding of human beings, nurses will optimize their knowledge bases, Facilitating more complete data appropriate for each individual client.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS