Exploring Nurses’ Experiences of Equipment Availability and Its Influence on Job Satisfaction in Cardiac and Critical Care Units: A Phenomenological Study

The availability of medical equipment plays a vital role in helping nurses deliver safe, timely, and high-quality care, especially in Cardiac and Critical Care Units where patients require continuous monitoring and immediate interventions. This qualitative phenomenological study explored nurses' lived experiences regarding equipment availability and how it influences their job satisfaction in a tertiary hospital. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) Model, the study focused on how the adequacy, functionality, accessibility, and reliability of medical equipment affect nurses' daily work experiences in high-acuity clinical settings. Nine (9) registered nurses with at least one year of experience in the Cardiac and Critical Care Units were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed through Colaizzi's Descriptive Phenomenological Method. The findings showed that readily available and dependable medical equipment enabled nurses to work more efficiently, make sound clinical decisions, and provide safe, timely patient care, resulting in greater professional confidence and job satisfaction. In contrast, equipment shortages and malfunctioning devices disrupted workflow, delayed nursing interventions, increased workload, and contributed to stress, frustration, and emotional exhaustion. The study highlights the importance of adequate equipment management, preventive maintenance, and institutional support in promoting nurses' well-being, enhancing job satisfaction, and improving the quality of care provided to critically ill patients.