Hospital Nurses' Occupational Experiences

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to conceptualize hospital nurses' occupational experiences and to reveal the characteristics of them. Methodology for Conceptualization of Nursing was used as research methodology. The data were collected from 15 nurses who have worked more than 5 years at hospital, through semi-structured interview. As a result, 6 explanatory concepts emerged. These concepts were as follows; 1) Acquiring clinical competence and deepening nursing role through overcoming problems. 2) Facing changes in daily life and reconstructing lifestyle. 3) Establishing relationship with members of organization and keeping it. 4) Feeling confrontation between developmental task and job demand. 5) Being unable to decide to continue a job or not and finally making decision to continue it. 6) Progressing understanding of nursing and establishing own nursing standard and value. These 6 concepts suggested that hospital nurses had common occupational experiences to women or adults who have occupations, and at the same time having specific occupational experiences as nurse. Furthermore, the whole view of occupational experiences suggested that nurse gained not only clinical competence but also developmental progress as professional and human being.