Components of the Positive Meaning of Work for Acute Care Nurses and Related Factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the components of the positive meaning of work for acute care nurses and related factors. Self-administered anonymous questionnaires about perceptions of work were distributed to 1, 959nurses. Descriptive data from the responses of 1, 209nurses were qualitatively analyzed. Psychological feelings were found to be a component of nurse's perceptions while work experiences and working environments were identified as related factors. Psychological feelings comprise ‹affinity with patients or their families›, ‹presence with patients or their families›, ‹sense of achievement›, ‹sense of control›, ‹sense of self-advancement›, and ‹self-efficacy›. Work experiences comprise ‹improvement in a patient's condition following treatment›, ‹positive feedback from patients or their families›, ‹improvement in difficult conditions›, ‹good evaluations of nursing care by others›, ‹practice of good nursing skills›, ‹communication with patients or their families›, and‹execution of one's duties›. Working environments comprise ‹comfortable human environments›, ‹good working conditions›, and ‹maintenance of working environment›. Difference features of the positive meaning of work for nurses were observed according to each nurse's position and ward. These findings indicate that considering the positive meaning of work is advantageous to supporting the mental health of acute care nurses.