Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research1735-9066132200902134747MSc, In-service Educator, Department of on the Job Training, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz, IranPHD, Associate Professor, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran20101113<strong>Background:</strong> Today, liver transplantation is a routine procedure in the treatment of patients with end stage liver disease<br />and its survival rate is high. In order to promote health, nurses and other health care professionals need to discover the<br />meanings of lived experiences after liver transplantation. It is important for nurses to know what patients really experience;<br />appropriate nursing intervention can be extracted from such understanding. This study aimed to describe the<br />meaning of lived experiences of liver transplant patients after discharging from hospital.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> A Phenomenological approach was chosen for the study. Unstructured and open-ended interviews were conducted<br />with 9 liver transplant patients. The method of analysis described by Colaizzi (1978) was utilized.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> According to Colaizzi, seven categories emerged: support, gradual adaptation, transplant outcomes, concerns,<br />fallow up, gratitude and waiting for transplant. The patient's physical and mental problems prevented them to fulfill<br />personal goals before transplant. Although they had some concerns such as fear of graft rejection, they were at the peace<br />with the world after transplantation. Lifelong medications were identified insignificant for the participants. Social support<br />was essential for recovery and meeting other recipients in the same situation as well as sharing health and life experiences<br />is an important aspect among liver transplant patients. Health professionals were universally praised in the study<br />however the fallow up care they received from them was not desirable.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Health professional especially nurses should take a more active role in continuing care for such clients. Also,<br />the support patients give each other should be encouraged and aided by health care team.<br /><strong>Key words:</strong> Lived experience; liver transplant patients, phenomenologyhttp://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/view/47http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/download/47/47