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.
The lived experience of the older registered nurse working at the bedside in the critical care unit
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Created on 12/1/2009
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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.