Fasting and Bedside Care: Experiences of Student Nurses During Ramadhan in the Clinical Setting
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Abstract
Background: Fasting during Ramadhan is a significant religious practice for Muslim healthcare professionals, including nursing students, who must balance their spiritual commitments with the demands of clinical practice.
Objectives: This study explores the experiences of third-year nursing students providing bedside care while fasting during Ramadhan, focusing on the challenges they faced and the coping mechanisms they employed.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to capture the lived experiences of nine third-year nursing students assigned to the medical-surgical ward of a tertiary hospital in Lanao del Sur, Philippines. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to the physical, cognitive, and environmental challenges, as well as the strategies used to cope with these challenges.
Results: The study identified three major themes: Physical and Cognitive Challenges, Impact on Patient Care, and Coping Mechanisms. Fasting exacerbated physical exhaustion and cognitive strain, significantly affecting the students' ability to maintain energy, focus, and provide high-quality care. Environmental factors, such as inadequate ventilation and overcrowding, further compounded these challenges. Despite these difficulties, the students utilized coping strategies including mental conditioning, teamwork, and spiritual resilience to fulfill their clinical duties.
Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadhan presents considerable challenges for nursing students in clinical settings, impacting their physical and cognitive capacities and the quality of care they provide. However, through effective coping mechanisms, these students are able to manage these challenges and continue to deliver patient care. This study highlights the need for supportive strategies in clinical education to help fasting students maintain their performance and ensure patient safety.