Table Of ContentTHE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF REGISTERED NURSES CARING FOR PATIENT
LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY
DISSERTATION
Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Barry University
Archimore Alexander Wright
2016
THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF REGISTERED NURSES CARING FOR PATIENTS
LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
DISSERTATION
by
Archimore Alexander Wright
2016
APPROVED BY:
____________________________________
Claudette R. Chin, PhD, ARNP
Chairperson, Dissertation Committee
____________________________________
Ferrona A. Beason, PhD, ARNP
Member, Dissertation Committee
____________________________________
Jessie M. Colin, PhD, RN, FRE, FAAN
Member Dissertation Committee
Program Director, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
__________________________________
John McFadden, PhD, CRNA
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Copyright by Archimore Alexander Wright, 2016
All Rights Reserved
Abstract
Background: Vulnerability, opportunistic infections, and infection-related illnesses, caused
by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), progressively overwhelms the human
immune system resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV/AIDS
epidemic continues to slowly and non-discriminately spread continentally with dramatic
consequences on the life expectancy of anyone who develops this pervasive illness/disease.
The virus, HIV is well documented and is commonly transmitted through risky behaviors of
human contact, and if left unattended and untreated, leaves a path of destruction and
devastation of monumental proportions. HIV/AIDS dramatically leads to long struggles and
concerns for human rights and end-of-life (EOL) care.
Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to gain an in-depth epistemology of
registered nurses lived experiences in caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in
Broward County, Florida.
Philosophical Underpinnings: The philosophical underpinnings that directed this study
were buried in the interpretivistic paradigm to investigate the meaning of a particular
sample of registered nurses using a qualitative research approach.
Method: This study employed a descriptive/interpretive paradigm navigated by Max van
Manen’s phenomenological method. Purposive and snow-ball sampling were utilized by
the researcher to recruit registered nurses (RNs) for the study. Data collection was
acquired using digital voice recorders to conduct semi-structured face-to-face interviews
with a maximum of 12 elected participants.
Results: Four major related themes were conclusive from the findings of the study, as
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unknowing, incapacitating, dejecting, and nurturing, and five sub-themes of swimming in
deep waters, exasperating, dreading occupational exposures, feeling of emptiness, and
emotional and physical support through this phenomenological descriptive/interpretive
exploration. These themes and sub-themes showcased registered nurses experience in
providing care to patients living with HIV/AIDS in Broward County, Florida. Margaret
Newman’s (1978) grand theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness was the
theoretical framework applied to the themes/sub-themes for further understanding.
Conclusion: This phenomenological research inquiry coupled with Max van Manen
descriptive/interpretive methodology exhibited the complexity registered nurses endure
when providing care to patients living with HIV/AIDS in Broward County, Florida. The
results of the study emphasized the quintessence of nurse’s experiences by illuminating
the fear of the unknown dealing with the disease HIV/AIDS, in which they displayed
courage, resilience, empathy, and nurturing while caring for this fragile population. The
experiences described in this study by the participants caring for patients living with
HIV/AIDS in Broward, County Florida, highlighted the numerous effects of the disease
on healthcare and nurses alike. There is a necessity for a comprehensive approach to
make it possible to provide appropriate nursing care that can also address the new threat
of HIV infection in Broward County, which has developed rapidly than expected.
Participant’s enthusiasm in sharing their life world experience on caring for patients
living with HIV/ADS culminate the general purpose of this phenomenological study.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
After an intensive period of three years three months and 24 days, today is the day
that the Lord has made, I shall rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it. This note is written
anxiously to place the finishing touch on my dissertation. It has been a period of intense
learning for me, not only in the scientific arena, but also on a personal level. The Lord
has given me the ability to write this dissertation, which has left an everlasting effect on
my intellectual well-being. In the ring of fascinating things, the obligation takes
precedent to reflect on the people who have supported and helped me through this
cumbersome period of my life. No one ever said attaining a PhD was an easy task, this
certainly was not, and my life was dedicated to this torturous pathway.
Overtaken by the spirit of humility with a penitent and contrite heart the time has
arrived to thank a few people who have made life so much easier on this journey. First
and foremost I must first give thanks to the Almighty God and ruler of my life for
spearing and preserving me with the courage to undertake this brave journey in my
delicate life. I also would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the
participants who dedicated their time and patience in letting me in their lives to
comprehend their experience caring for patients living with HIV/AIDS in Broward
County, Florida.
The very elite and courageous doctoral committee deserves to be recognized at
this time for their kind, unselfish, diligent, and supportive expertise offered to me through
this marathon was indispensable and matchless. They were there in living colors as a
torch that light my pathway in guiding my foot steps on this journey and culminating this
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degree.
Dr. Claudette R. Chin, my committee chair. To whom I am deeply indebted for
her unselfish love and unwavering devotion, always there at the drop of a hat in my
darkest hours of need. It is really a pleasure to have you as my chair, which I consider
myself very blessed and fortunate to have you in my life, your faith, confidence, and trust
that you placed in me, and the support and guidance delineated to me when I needed it
the most word cannot express. From the delicate fiber of my being, I simply want to say
a joyful thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Dr. Jessie M. Colin and Dr. Ferrona Beason; both of my committee members.
Sincere thanks and kudos to both of you for being there for me every step of the way with
your special words of encouragement. It is incumbent on me to also compliment you
both on the tireless effort of reading and reading this dissertation over and over again;
God knows I really do not know how you all do it. There is a special place in Heaven for
this committee.
To my family and friends; let it be known “you are simply the best.” Special
arrangements were made for me to study without disturbances, how considerate, my wife
make sure I am fed, clean, and ready to go at all times, insanely matchless a priceless act.
This acknowledgement would not be resolute without offering gratitude and
recognition to a few of my very dear friends Vedete Llewellyn-Borde, David Anthony
Harris, Marie Nestant-Brown, Garfield Young, Georgia Peart-Jackson, and my very
supportive cousin Michelle Smith-Blair who have all been there for me every step of the
way cheering me on. Always relentless in wanting to know my academic status and
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requesting an updated and even a grade card as if they were my professors or guardians.
Kudos to you guys friends for life. Memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Special tribute goes out to my cohort, a dream team of three, namely, Betty Bogart
and Jamela Morton sergeants who does not take “no” for an answer. We have been
through thick and thin together, sweet and bitter moments, but held on tightly to get this
degree completed together. A dream team with memories for life. How must I forgotten
my adopted sister Dezma Blair who is a tower of strength, and an excellent resource
person who is invaluable, generous, a real dedicated public relations officer any one
would be obliged to have on their team.
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DEDICATIONS
To God be the glory, honor and strength who kept me in shape and reminded me
every hour of the day that the race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to he that
endures to the end (Ecclesiastes 9:11and Matthew 24:13).
In humility I would like to share this moment with my wonderful family; wife
Arlene, son; Anthony, and daughters; Elisia, Deirdre, Shanice, and Jodi-Ann.
Grandchildren; Kayhlia, Shania, Alyssa, O’dain, Amy, and Jordan who all adore me, and
shower me with love unconditionally on this road, even when I have forgotten precious
family get together. I love you all from the deepest part of my heart.
This dedication is centered securely on my dear grandmother Eva Dora (Doris)
Coke, (1910 to 1995) gone but still not forgotten, always in my heart as I traverse this
universe. She has nurtured and cherished me from the tender age of three months old
through to young adulthood, placed the mantle at my feet always telling me education is
the poor man ticket out of poverty. Insisted that I do well in school and was able to pull
an accountant out of me as the fruit of her labor. I want to close by saying she was my
inspiration I can fly higher than an eagle because she was the wind beneath my wings, the
rock of Gibraltar who inspired me that I could be everything I wanted to be. This leaves
me to quote the scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me.”
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ........................................................................................................... i
SIGNATURE PAGE .............................................................................................. ii
COPYRIGHT PAGE ............................................................................................. iii
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... vi
DEDICATION ....................................................................................................... ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................ x
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... xvi
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ xvii
CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................... 1
Problem and Domain of the Inquiry ................................................................... 3
Background of the Study .................................................................................... 3
HIV/AIDS on the Continental Landscape ...................................................... 6
Problem Statement ............................................................................................ 15
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................... 16
Research Question ............................................................................................ 17
Philosophical Underpinnings ............................................................................ 17
Ontological Assumption ............................................................................... 20
Epistemological Assumption ........................................................................ 21
Axiological Assumption ............................................................................... 22
Rhetorical Assumption.................................................................................. 22
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