Challenges and factors likely to promote coping as anticipated by nurses preparing for a merger of intensive and intermediate care units.

OBJECTIVE: To describe challenges and factors that support coping as anticipated by nursing staff preparing for a merger of intensive and intermediate care units. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The method of empathy-based stories was employed to collect data from staff. The stories (n=20) were analysed using inductive content analysis. SETTING: Nursing staff from the cardiac observation and evaluation, intensive care and surgical observation units in a central hospital in Finland. FINDINGS: Participants anticipated challenges related to personal factors that affect coping at work, challenges in co-operation among nursing staff and problems associated with the new work context. Participants expected to need informational, concrete and social support from colleagues in future clinical nursing situations. CONCLUSION: Fostering peer support and team spirit is important to ensure staff co-operation and smooth care processes following restructuring.