Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the delirium experience of the intensive
care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: We performed a qualitative study using Colaizzi
phenomenological method. Eleven patients who had delirium experience according to the
Confusion Assessment method for ICU participated in this research after transferring to general
wards from ICU. Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were performed from 30
minutes to two hours in length from November 16, 2018 to August 24. 2019. Results: Four
theme clusters emerged including nine themes. 1) ‘Overwhelmed by fear’ describes experience
as a patient close to death and feeling about difficulty in understanding disorganized thinking.
2) ‘Anxious about not understanding the situation’means that patients' senses of time and space
were disordered in ICU. 3) ‘Being deserted’indicates the feeling of being separated from others
and me. 4) ‘Resistance to protect my dignity’ shows that the dignity and autonomy of an
individual are ignored in patient’s position at the ICU. Conclusions: The nursing intervention
that patients are able to maintain orientation and self-esteem in ICU is needed. In addition,
Healthcare providers need to provide the information about the unfamiliar environment in ICU
in advance.