The Lived Experiences of Nurses in Documentation Process at Selected Hospital in Marikina City

Nursing documentation is an essential component of patient care that promotes effective communication, continuity of care, and patient safety. With the increasing adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), nurses are required to adapt to new documentation systems while managing their clinical responsibilities. This study aims to explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses with the documentation process in a selected government hospital in Marikina City. Specifically, it seeks to examine nurses' perceptions of the documentation process, the challenges and barriers they encounter, the coping and adaptation strategies they employ, and the institutional support systems that influence their experiences. The study will utilize a descriptive qualitative phenomenological research design grounded in Edmund Husserl's philosophy. Purposive sampling will be employed to recruit ten (10) registered nurses who are directly involved in patient care and the use of Electronic Health Records. Data will be collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's Seven-Step Method. The findings revealed that nurses experience documentation as both a professional responsibility and a systemic challenge. Major barriers included limited computer access, overlapping paper and electronic documentation systems, heavy workloads, and frequent workplace interruptions. Despite these challenges, nurses recognized documentation as essential for patient safety, continuity of care, communication, and legal accountability. They adapted through teamwork, time management, prioritization, continuous learning, and personal resilience. Although hospitals provide training and digitalization initiatives, persistent issues in staffing, equipment, and system improvements continue to affect documentation practices. The study concludes that nursing documentation extends beyond a technical requirement, serving as a professional, ethical, and legal responsibility that requires stronger institutional support. It recommends improving digital infrastructure, addressing staffing and workload concerns, strengthening documentation training, and implementing consistent policies to enhance patient safety, continuity of care, and healthcare quality.