Nurses’ experiences in pediatric cerebral palsy care: Insights from a transitional health system

Nursultan Abdigapbar, Ejercito Mangawa Balay‐odao, Joseph U. Almazan

Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 2026

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DOI 10.1016/j.jtumed.2026.05.004
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Background: In transitional healthcare systems, such as Kazakhstan, caring for children with cerebral palsy (CP) places substantial physical and emotional demands on nurses, but their experiences remain largely undocumented in post-Soviet contexts. CP care requires continuous support, complex clinical tasks, and close collaboration with caregivers, so understanding the perspectives of nurses is essential for improving pediatric neurodisability services. Aim: This study explored the lived experiences of nurses caring for children with CP in a tertiary hospital in Kazakhstan, focusing on the clinical, emotional, and institutional factors that shaped their practice. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Twelve nurses were homogeneously purposively sampled, and data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews conducted for 30-60 min between March and April 2025. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic framework. Ethical approval was obtained from Nazarbayev University and the University Medical Center ethics committees. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) significant physical and resource-related challenges; (2) emotional labor, resilience, and risk of burnout; (3) caregiver dynamics involving stress, conflict, education, and collaboration; (4) professional and personal growth through skills development, empathy, and identity formation; and (5) workplace satisfaction shaped by institutional and peer support. Nurses exhibited strong ethical commitment, frequently compensating for systemic limitations. Conclusion: This first exploration of CP nursing experiences in Kazakhstan reveals how cultural norms, institutional gaps, and post-Soviet healthcare legacies influence pediatric neurodisability care. Emotional labor functions both as a vulnerability and a key component of professional identity. Strengthening the assistive infrastructure, psychological support services, and CP specific nurse education is essential for enhancing the care quality and sustaining the pediatric nursing workforce.