Emergency department patients' perceptions of supportive nursing behaviors

Patients and nurses have been found to perceive support differently. This exploratory study was undertaken to: (a) identify those nursing behaviors perceived by emergency department patients as supportive, and (b) to identify the importance emergency room patients give to various nursing behaviors on a checklist. A sample of 30 emergency department patients completed a guided interview and the Supportive Nursing Behavior Checklist. The perceived attitude of the nurse toward the patient and the availability of the nurse to the patient were the most important factors influencing patients' perceptions of support. The nurse being friendly and cheerful were the most important behaviors. The study has implications for nursing practice, nursing administration and nursing education. Suggestions are also given for further research.