Stress Experiences and Support Needs of Nursing Managers in Patient Safety Incidents: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Background The impact of patient safety incidents on healthcare professionals has drawn increasing attention. As key managerial forces on the clinical frontline, nurse managers not only bear important responsibilities in incident response but may also become “second victims.” The pressure they experience and their need for support warrant systematic investigation. Objectives To explore the multidimensional stress experiences and support needs of nurse managers during patient safety incidents, providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for building scientific management and support systems. Design A phenomenological qualitative study. Methods Using purposive sampling, 14 nurse managers from a tertiary hospital in Nanjing, China, were recruited for semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven‐step method. Results Four core themes emerged: (1) complex coping situations under multiple stressors; (2) systemic support deficiencies and dilemmas; (3) growth within the managerial role; and (4) pathways for individual–organizational synergy. Conclusion Nurse managers are important yet often overlooked “second victims” in patient safety incidents. Their support needs present distinct institutional and structural characteristics. Healthcare organizations should establish systematic support systems, strengthen psychological follow‐up and collaboration mechanisms, and enhance coping efficacy and organizational resilience among nurse managers.