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Aims and objectives This study explored the experiences of nurses using physical restraints on mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care. Background Physical restraints are frequently used to prevent treatment interference and maintain patient safety in intensive care units worldwide. However, physical restraints are found to be ineffective in preventing treatment interference and cause negative outcomes for patients. The practices surrounding physical restraints are inconsistent due to a lack of education, training and protocols. Design This research was conducted as a qualitative study with a naturalistic inquiry framework adhering to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Methods Twelve in‐depth, semi‐structured conversations were conducted with registered nurses who have experience working in intensive care and have cared for patients who were physically restrained and mechanically ventilated. These conversations were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Three major themes emerged from the data. The themes were as follows: the ICU culture and its impacts on physical restraint practices; the consequences of physical restraints through a nursing lens; and understanding the ways of learning. Conclusion The insights into the ICU culture, the nurses’ understanding of the consequences of physical restraints and the ways in which nurses learn physical restraint practices have provided a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of the realities of current practice in ICU. This new information demonstrates nurses’ understanding of the potential harm caused by physical restraints and the way in which current practices are guided more‐so by workplace norms and expectations rather than on critical thinking and decision‐making. Relevance to clinical practice These insights provide valuable information to intensive care clinicians, educators and policymakers to guide future practice and improve patient outcomes by highlighting the importance of education on physical restraint practices and informing the development of policies and guidelines.

Aims To explore the experience of physical restraints during mechanical ventilation in intensive care from the perspectives of patients and family members. Design This research was a qualitative study with a naturalistic inquiry framework adhering to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Method In‐depth, semi‐structured conversations were conducted with five patients and six family members who had either personally experienced or witnessed their loved ones being physically restrained during mechanical ventilation in intensive care. Data collection occurred between March 2018 and June 2019. These conversations were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Three major themes emerged from the data. These themes were: Being tied down; Feeling helpless; and Finding light in the darkness. Conclusion The experience of physical restraints during mechanical ventilation in intensive care leads to traumatic experiences which can impact patients and families long after their ICU stay. Holistic care, which considers the physical, emotional and psychological needs of patients and families, should be more thoroughly explored when managing treatment interference to minimize harm. Impact This study gained insight into the physical, emotional and psychological consequences of applying physical restraints to patients who are mechanically ventilated as an intervention for preventing treatment interference. The findings of this study have the potential to improve ICU patient and family outcomes by influencing current physical restraint practices. Recommendations from this research can contribute to practice change by informing policy, shifting workplace culture and norms about restraints, and encouraging education and training.

Aims and Objectives This integrative review aimed at systematically searching, analysing and synthesising multiple sources of evidence, to build a temporal understanding of nursing students' experiences of sexual harassment whilst on clinical placement, and to discuss the social context which enables this. Background Sexual harassment is highly prevalent in workplaces globally. Contemporary social understandings contextualise sexual harassment as a significant form of interpersonal violence. This is the first literature review to go beyond prevalence to synthesise the experience, implications and responses to sexual harassment encountered by student nurses on clinical placement. Design Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) integrative review methodology is used to structure a rigorous analysis and synthesis of evidence. Methods The PRISMA checklist supported sound reporting of the search strategy. Three databases (CINAHL, Scopus and Medline) were searched using a Boolean strategy. Papers with a significant focus on sexual harassment of nursing students in the clinical setting were included with no limitation on publication date. Papers were excluded if they were not published in English or were only published as abstracts. Results A synthesis of 26 papers demonstrated that sexual harassment has significant impacts on student nurses and the nursing profession. The intimacy of close body care, dominant social perceptions of nursing as women's work and the sexualisation of nurses increase student vulnerability to sexual harassment. Workplace power imbalances further exacerbate sexual harassment and shape responses to incidents. Conclusions Sexual harassment of nursing students is widespread and impacts student well‐being and learning. Relevance to Clinical Practice Education is a strong protective factor and should target students, clinicians, clinical facilitators and academics. Attention to workplace culture, and processes that support disclosure and reporting, is also required to meaningfully address the sexual harassment of nursing students.