ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026
Assessments Under Pressure: Interviews With Triage Nurses in Emergency Departments: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study.
Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Diagnostic accuracy of large language models for emergency department triage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC emergency medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Assessments Under Pressure: Interviews With Triage Nurses in Emergency Departments: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study.Journal of advanced nursing · 2026Article
- Impact of Patients, Nurses, and Workload on the Use of a Nurse-Initiated Pain Protocol at Triage in the Emergency Department: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Role reconstruction and competency requirements of emergency nurses in the human-machine collaborative mode: a qualitative study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimsTo understand the experiences and decision-making practices of registered nurses when assessing acuity at triage in emergency departments.
designThe study utilised a qualitative exploratory-descriptive design.
methodsPurposive sampling recruited 11 registered nurses with triage experience from across the United Kingdom. Semi-structured online interviews, incorporating practice-based vignettes, were conducted between April and November 2024. Thematic analysis was selected to analyse the data.
resultsThree themes were identified: (1) Pressurised decisions, highlighting the effects of overcrowding, staffing shortages and operational burdens; (2) Holistic assessments, revealing the shift from structured to intuitive decision-making as nurses gain experience; and (3) Confidence, competence and emotional wellbeing, illustrating the psychological impacts of triage and the importance of experience and support.
conclusionsThis study provides novel insight into how triage nurses navigate acuity assessment in high-pressure environments. It shows how experience, training and institutional culture influence decision-making and wellbeing. It identifies key areas for targeted intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Triage nurses face substantial cognitive and emotional strain, which may compromise assessment quality and safety. Findings highlight the urgent need for structured triage training, protected time for assessment and access to wellbeing and peer support systems. IMPACT: What problem did the study address?: A need for current literature exploring the practices and experiences of triage nurses. What were the main findings?: Triage nurses experience significant environmental and emotional pressures, develop decision-making strategies through experience and require enhanced training and support to ensure safe, effective care. Where and on whom will the research have an impact?: Findings are relevant to emergency departments internationally, triage nurses, nurse educators and healthcare leaders. REPORTING
methodThis study adheared to COREQ reporting guidelines, and a copy of the checklist is attached as Data S1. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.
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