Background Husserl’s descriptive phenomenology is a popular methodology in health research as it provides a way to understand people’s experiences. Positioned in Husserl’s phenomenology, Colaizzi’s approach offers a way to analyse data and develop trustworthy findings. However, it can pose methodological and practical challenges.

Aim To present a discussion of the application and tailoring of Colaizzi’s phenomenological approach to a study conducted in a hospital.

Discussion Applying Colaizzi’s approach to interview data concerning health professionals’ decisions about transferring older people in hospital to residential care provided a decision trail. However, Colaizzi’s final step – member-checking – is controversial so was tailored to enhance the development of trustworthy findings.

Conclusion Validating findings is an important part of conducting research. Tailoring the final step of member-checking in Colaizzi’s approach supports trustworthy findings while staying connected to phenomenological epistemology.

Implications for practice Phenomenology is a popular methodology for nurse researchers. Tailoring Colaizzi’s approach provides strategies to augment phenomenological methods, ensuring dependable findings. Nurse researchers conducting phenomenological research can use these strategies.