The lived experience of the older registered nurse working at the bedside in the critical care unit

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mary Alice Hodge (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Susan Letvak

Abstract: This study focuses on the lived experience of the older RN, an area lacking research. The purpose of the study was to discover why the older RN remains working at the bedside in the critical care unit. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of older nurses involved in direct patient care in the critical care unit. Traditionally hospitals have invested their efforts into recruiting rather than retaining RNs. What is not known is how to retain the older RN involved in direct patient care in the critical care unit. The research questions asked 1) How older nurses describe their work lives while working at the bedside in critical care. 2) What are the intrinsic motivators for older RNs employed in critical care? 3) What are specific challenges for older RNs working in the critical care unit? A purposive sample of 11 RNs over the age of 50 employed full time at the bedside in the critical care unit were recruited. Preliminary analysis has indicated categories including: a rewarding career; conflict of interest; my self-image; and altruism is its own reward. Findings from this study are important for the profession of nursing to develop practices and policies, which may help to retain older RNs working at the bedside in the critical care unit. Findings from this research study may lead to larger studies with the goal of developing retention strategies specific to older workers.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Bedside, Critical care unit, Nursing, Older nurse, Retention
Subjects
Nurses $x Attitudes.
Older workers.
Employee retention.
Age and employment.

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