Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2010 Nov;19(2):140-149.

The Coping Process of Chief Executive Nurses(CENs) Who Had Experienced Unexpected Dismissal

• Yun SN
• Suh E
• Kim C

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the coping process of chief Executive Nurses(CENs) Who Had Experienced Unexpected Dismissal.The research question was "would you tell me about your experience of sudden dismissal?" METHOD: The methodology of collecting and analyzing data used in this study followed the ground theory of Strauss and Corbin (1998). Data were collected through in-depth interviews with open-ended questions about the subjects' coping experiences, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The survey was conducted between April and May, 2007. The subjects of this study were 5 CENs. RESULT: The results of the study are as follows. Core category of This Study was "Battling unsupported against the overwhelming reality." The participants had to face the most unexpected reality of being laid off. Their emotional/psychological response were betrayal, powerlessness, lonesomeness, sorrow, and hopelessness. They felt like a general who is facing overwhelming enemy in a war. The coping process was found to have four stages: shocked stage, resisting stage, negotiating stage and reflecting and transcending stage.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study suggested that ceaseless exertion and cooperation at organizational and individual levels are needed to establish stable status and power of nursing departments and CENs in hospitals.

Keyword

Unemployment; Coping; Grounded theory methodology; Qualitative study

MeSH Terms

Negotiating
Shock
Unemployment