The experience of being an older nurse

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Susan A. Letvak, Professor, Department Chair, & Undergraduate Programs Director (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The nursing workforce is aging at an unprecedented rate, yet we know very little about the expe-riences of older staff nurses. A qualitative design with purposeful sampling was used to describe the experience of being an older staff nurse. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 staff nurses over the age of 55 who were employed at least part-time in six hospitals located in the southeastern United States. Data analysis was guided by a feminist perspective utilizing the voice-centered relational method developed by Brown and Gilligan. Study findings demonstrate that older nurses are working because they continue to care, despite the stressors of intergenerational conflict with younger nurses, less respect from patients and families, and ineq-uity in pay. Older nurses are confident in their abilities and are capable of meeting the demands of hospital nursing.

Additional Information

Publication
Western Journal of Nursing Research, 25(1), 45-56.
Language: English
Date: 2003
Keywords
Older nurses, Qualitative methodology

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