“Navigating Nurse Staffing Challenges: Exploring the Experiences of Chief Nurses during Nurse Shortages in Pangasinan”

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Chief Nurses in managing staffing challenges during a nursing shortage in Pangasinan. The informants of this qualitative phenomenological study consisted of six (6) Chief Nurses who were currently working in different hospitals in Pangasinan. They were selected through a non-probability sampling method, specifically convenience sampling, based on their accessibility and proximity to the researchers. There was no predetermined number of informants; instead, data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Data were gathered through individual in-depth interviews with the six (6) informants.
Throughout the study, it was found that Chief Nurses experience various challenges related to nursing shortages, particularly lack of manpower, increased workload, and dissatisfaction with compensation. The shortage of nurses significantly affects the delivery of patient care, resulting in concerns such as substandard patient care and the need for nurses to extend their duty hours. These challenges place additional responsibilities on Chief Nurses as they strive to maintain the quality and continuity of healthcare services despite limited staffing resources.
To overcome and cope with these challenges, the Chief Nurses relied on support and cooperation among co-workers, teamwork, and faith in God. They believed that working together and helping one another enabled them to manage difficulties more effectively. Their experiences also taught them the importance of love, compassion, and dedication to their work. Despite the challenges brought about by the nursing shortage, they continued to embrace their calling, remain committed to their profession, and strive to provide the best possible care to their patients.

Chief Nurses, Nursing Shortage, Staffing Challenges, Lived Experiences, Work Challenges, Workload, Patient Care, Coping Mechanisms,

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