Pediatric Burn Management: A Qualitative Study on Nursing Perspectives and Professional Needs

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 33 Sayı: 1, 11 - 20, 21.03.2026

Deniz Taşdemir , Halil İbrahim Taşdemir

https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1707564

https://izlik.org/JA82TP87YW

Öz

Objective
This study aims to explore the perceptions,
experiences, and professional needs of pediatric
nurses involved in caring for burn-injured children.
By examining their emotional responses, clinical
challenges, and training gaps, this research aims to
provide insights that can inform future improvements
in pediatric burn care practices, enhance nurse wellbeing,
and contribute to the development of more
comprehensive, patient- and family-centered care
models in clinical settings.

Material and Method
This study employed a qualitative descriptive design
to explore the perceptions and experiences of 21
pediatric nurses working in various hospitals in two
cities in Turkey. Participants were selected through
purposive sampling, ensuring they had at least
five years of experience in pediatric nursing. Semistructured
telephone interviews were conducted, and
all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed
verbatim. A thematic analysis approach was applied
to identify key themes, which were cross-validated by
two independent researchers to ensure reliability.

Results
Three major themes and eight subthemes emerged
from the data: (1) Emotional and Psychological Impact
(including emotional distress and coping mechanisms),
(2) Clinical Challenges in Burn Care (including pain
management, wound care, infection control, and
communication with families), and (3) Professional
and Training Needs (including lack of specialized
training and the need for psychological support for
nurses). Nurses reported high levels of stress and
burnout due to the severity of injuries and emotional
burden, inadequate pain management strategies, and
difficulties in communicating with distressed families.
Additionally, participants emphasized the urgent need
for specialized burn care training and mental health
support for healthcare providers.

Conclusion
This study highlights the emotional, clinical, and
professional challenges that pediatric nurses face
in burn care. Findings underscore the need for
comprehensive training programs, advanced pain
management strategies, and psychological support
services to enhance nurse well-being and improve
patient care. Addressing these challenges through
policy and education reforms will help create a more
effective and supportive environment for both nurses
and pediatric burn patients.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Emotional impact , Nursing perspectives , Pain management , Pediatric burn care , Pediatric surgery , Qualitative study

Etik Beyan

This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. Ethical approval was obtained under the protocol ID GO2025/1330 on April 16, 2025. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study, and informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Participation was voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw at any time without any penalty. Data confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained throughout the study process. Written informed consent to participate and publish was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Destekleyen Kurum

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-forprofit sectors.

Teşekkür

The authors would like to thank all participants, for generously sharing their ideas.

Kaynakça

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