Work Engagement among Nurses in Relationally Demanding Jobs in the Hospital Sector

Abstract

The central aim of the present study was to investigate how nurses in relationally demanding jobs viewed work engagement, and their experiences in terms of maintaining engagement in job traditionally associated with both strain injury and burnout.Methods:In-depth interviews were carried out with ten engaged nurses working in a medium-sized hospital. The interviews were interpreted using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study is ethically approved.Results:The results showed that work engagement among nurses increased proportionally with their experience and professional development.An important factor in maintaining their engagement was the ability to adapt (resilience). Their adaptability was particularly seen in the ability to adjust the focus of their various life arenas according to need, and inpatient involvement. They considered their colleagues and the head nurses as the most important resources for a positive work adaptation. The nurses experience of having a meaningful job also contributed strongly to maintaining their engagement.Conclusion:The findings indicate the importance of building resilient teams in a relationally demanding work environment. It might be the job of the head nurses to build such a team, and it could be developed by stimulating mutually positive support among colleagues as well as by the availability of professional training according to need. In addition there should be opportunities for individual professional development in the form of training and guidance as well as specific courses.