Abstract:
Background: The pre-hospital nurses at RBC/SAMU/Kigali have arduous, demanding, and
challenging responsibilities to complete. Pre-hospital nurses care for patients who have suffered
severe injuries or illnesses as well as significant traffic accidents. Understanding their lived
experiences is essential not only for acknowledging their dedication but also for identifying
potential areas of improvement in the support systems, training, and resources available to them.
Understand from the nurses’ lived experiences how they emotionally respond to the often
traumatic and life-threatening nature of serious road traffic accident injuries (this may include
exploring feelings of stress, empathy, compassion, burnout, and resilience). Explore the coping
mechanisms and strategies that nurses employ to deal with the emotional toll and stress associated
with managing these types of injuries. Identify the professional challenges they experience when
caring for patients involved in serious road traffic accidents (this may encompass issues related to
workload, resource allocation, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration).
Methods: The lived experiences of nurses employed by pre-hospital staff (RBC/SAMU/Kigali)
who had worked with patients with significant traffic injuries for at least six months were
investigated in this qualitative research study. The study's main goal was to distill individual
experiences into a common explanation of a universal phenomenon. Results from semi-structured,
open-ended interviews with participants produced the study's findings. This study's use of
phenomenological questions provided insights into the real-world experiences of the nurses
managing major traffic injuries at RBC/SAMU/Kigali pre-hospital.
Result: The study found that most nurses relied on personal coping mechanisms, peer support, and
self-care practices to manage the emotional stress associated with their work. They expressed a
strong need for regular debriefing sessions, access to professional counseling or psychotherapy,
and training in mental health and stress management to better cope with the traumatic experiences
they encounter.
Conclusion: The study found that most nurses who manage major traffic accidents have significant
and varied emotional and professional problems. Shock and worry are among the acute emotional
reactions that nurses go through. Long-term impacts include emotional resilience and the
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requirement for psychological care. Professional and personal coping techniques are essential for
stress management; personal tactics and professional training both play important roles.
Recommendation: To address recommendations to the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the
Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)/SAMU Division, focus on practical, evidence-based
suggestions that can improve the conditions and support for nurses managing serious road traffic
injuries at accident sites.
