Abstract
BACKGROUND: Missed nursing care is a significant factor influencing patient safety and the overall quality of care, with direct implications for health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to conduct an exploratory analysis to examine complex perceptions of missed nursing care through metaphorical expressions of nursing professionals. METHODS: Utilising a phenomenological methodology, and one to one interviews, this investigation applies metaphor analysis to capture the nuanced understanding of missed care among clinicians. The study was conducted with a sample of 79 nurses employed at a public hospital. The research adheres to the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies. RESULTS: The analysis yielded 39 distinct metaphors, which were categorised into 6 thematic areas: neglected nature, dysfunction, deviation from health, emotional deprivation, dangers, and risks and disappointment. These thematic categories reveal the multifaceted nature of missed nursing care as perceived by nurses and underscore the detrimental effects it has on patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the underlying dynamics of missed nursing care, and offer potential pathways for improving nursing practices and enhancing the quality of patient care.