Assisted reproductive technology (ART) nursing practice : towards a greater understanding

Aim: To understand how ART nurses in Australia conceptualise their clinical practice. Method: This paper presents preliminary results from a PhD research project that uses a Grounded Theory methodology to explore Australian ART Nurses perceptions in relation to their clinical practice. Purposive sampling gained valuable data from a cross-section of participants with regards to clinical practice. To build on this data theoretical sampling was then used to elicit more comprehensive information to contribute to a deep understanding of clinical practice from the ART nurses perspectives. Data was collected via in-depth individual interviews. Results: Data is being analysed using a constant comparative approach which identifies themes in order to render discriminably different things equivalent. Analysis has revealed several key concepts that reflect the unique nature of ART nursing practice in Australia, namely (i) practice issues related to the ART nurse (ii) practice issues related to the patient (iii) knowledge (iv) communication and (v) support. These will form the foci of the presentation. Conclusion: The ART patient journey is often likened to a roller coaster ride and it is suggested that ART nurses accompany them on this journey. This study which is firmly grounded in data from participants, identifies themes of particular importance to the journey from the nurse’s perspective. It is well positioned to generate a substantive theory that will contribute to the body of knowledge with regard to ART nursing in Australia. Importantly the findings are likely to inform practice development, quality assurance, education and curriculum development for ART nurses.