Experiences of Nurses in Handling Residents in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Nurses in Philippine geriatric nursing homes play a vital role in improving healthcare outcomes through leadership, collaboration, education, and compassionate, person-centered care. Despite cultural stigma, staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and limited resources, they continue to address residents’ physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs holistically. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses working in nursing homes in Iloilo, focusing on how they deliver compassionate, person-centered care while addressing residents’ physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs despite existing challenges. A descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight (8) participants selected via purposive sampling in selected nursing homes in Iloilo, Philippines. Interviews took place between January and February 2026, with ethical clearance secured prior to data collection. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify key patterns and themes in the participants’ experiences. Findings revealed that nursing home practice is physically demanding yet emotionally meaningful. Nurses provide compassionate, patient-centered care to residents with chronic illnesses, dementia, and long-term dependency despite cultural stigma, staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and limited resources. They employ therapeutic communication, reorientation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement activities to meet residents’ needs. Resilience, adaptability, and understanding serve as protective factors, with compassion and patience central to treating residents like family. However, challenges such as emotional exhaustion and staffing limitations persist. Despite systemic constraints, nurses in nursing homes in Iloilo demonstrate strong resilience and compassion in delivering holistic, person-centered care. Strengthening staffing, leadership support, resilience programs, and culturally responsive strategies is essential to enhance nurse well-being and improve the quality of elder care.