Caring beyond recovery: a phenomenological study of nursing roles and working conditions in stroke rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary approach, in which nurses contribute to the continuity and coordination of care. While their role is integral within the rehabilitation team, the experiential and contextual dimensions of nursing practice in stroke rehabilitation remain insufficiently explored. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses in stroke rehabilitation and to identify factors influencing their roles and working conditions. METHODS: A qualitative study with a phenomenological orientation was conducted in two rehabilitation hospitals. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 14 nurses. Data collection continued until sufficient depth and richness of the data were achieved. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis supported by MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2024. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: (1) the integrative role, (2) everyday challenges, and (3) working conditions. Nursing practice was experienced as requiring continuous vigilance, emotional regulation, and ongoing negotiation between patient needs, safety, and organizational constraints. CONCLUSIONS: This study reconceptualizes nursing roles in stroke rehabilitation as integrative practices rather than task-based functions. The findings highlight the need for organizational strategies that better support nurses in managing complex clinical and emotional demands, which may enhance nurses' well-being and improve the quality of rehabilitation care.