Rehabilitation Nursing Experiences of Nurses Caring for Patients With Stroke in the Intensive Care Unit: A Phenomenological Study

Objective: This study aimed to phenomenologically explore the rehabilitation nursing experiences of nurses caring for patients with stroke in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning and essence of those experiences.Design: A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach.Methods: The participants were seven nurses working in a mixed ICU at a general hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea.One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted from July 6 to July 16, 2026.The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.Results: Four components emerged from the analysis: 'nursing experiences in responding to unpredictable neurological deterioration,' 'individualized nursing care considering both patient characteristics and recovery potential,' 'rehabilitation nursing within real-world constraints,' and 'rehabilitation nursing expertise developed through experience.'These components comprised 14 subcomponents and 31 central meanings. Conclusions:This study provides an in-depth understanding of nurses' rehabilitation nursing experiences at the intersection of acute critical care and stroke.The findings may serve as foundational evidence for developing standardized rehabilitation nursing protocols and educational programs for ICU nurses involved in acute stroke care.