Experiences of nurses in caring for sick older adults in Cape Coast in the central region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The complex and diverse needs of older adults have necessitated specialized and holistic nursing interventions. This study aimed to explore the experiences of registered nurses providing care to elderly individuals at the general medical wards, emergency unit, and outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Cape Coast. METHOD: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling of sixteen experienced registered nurses. Thematic analysis was applied to identify main themes and sub-themes within the data. RESULTS: Most participating registered nurses (RNs) reported at least ten years of experience caring for older adults. Two overarching themes emerged: positive and negative experiences in older-adult care. Positive experiences centered on feelings of reward, compassion, trust, respect, and the ability to provide nurturing, person-centered care. In contrast, negative experiences involved emotional strain, time pressure, interpersonal conflict, episodes of neglect or abuse, stressful care environments, and physical fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the dual nature of older-adult care, deeply fulfilling yet demanding. Supporting nurses through improved staffing, emotional resources, and training may help enhance the positive aspects while reducing the challenges they face. This study underscores the importance of tailored support for nurses, enhanced patient-centered practices, and targeted policy improvements to optimize care for older adults.