Child-rearing experiences of female nurses working three shifts in South Korea: A qualitative study

Experiences of nurses managing parenthood and career: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

AIM

Consolidate and synthesize evidence on working nurse-parent experiences of parenthood.

BACKGROUND

Demands in healthcare strain the workforce, causing burnout and high turnover rates, especially among nurses. Balancing work and family responsibilites is even more challenging for nurse-parents.

INTRODUCTION

Nursing is highly stressful, and the experiences of nurse-parents are under-researched highlighting the need to better understand and support nurse-parents in their dual roles.

METHODS

Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched for published and unpublished primary qualitative studies. Extracted data were meta-summarized and synthesized using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach.

FINDINGS

Twelve peer-reviewed studies, conducted between 2007 and 2022, investigated the challenges faced by 339 female nurse-parents across various countries. The meta-synthesis revealed two main themes: (a) Clashes of dual roles, and (b) Accept, adapt, and compromise, which were supported by six subthemes. Nurse-parents struggled with dual roles, often neglected self-care, and experienced work-family conflicts. However, they learned to accept their situations, adapt by seeking help from family, friends, and colleagues, and compromise on career aspirations to prioritize their families. The importance of organizational support and flexibility in accommodating their dual roles was emphasized.

DISCUSSION

Female nurse-parents face challenges in balancing their dual roles, resulting in fatigue, compromised self-care, and limited social interactions. The culture of self-sacrifice in nursing contributes to these challenges, impacting patient safety. Supportive interventions like mindfulness programs and exercise classes can promote well-being. Staffing shortages and shift work further affect the work-life balance for nurse-parents.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Creating a supportive work environment for nurse-parents is crucial. Family-friendly shifts revised parental leave policies, and improved childcare support are needed. Supporting nurse-parents benefits their well-being and enhances patient care. Collaboration between healthcare organizations and policymakers is essential to address workforce shortages and implement changes.

Uneven distribution of stressful working conditions among Japanese nurses: a secondary analysis of nurses with and without children

Supportive measures for employees raising children may have increased workloads on other nurses, causing psychological stress. This study aimed to clarify the differences in working conditions and psychological status among female Japanese nurses based on child-rearing attributes. We used data from 1,600 female nurses at 10 Japanese hospitals collected by the study of the Work Environment for Hospital Nurses in Japan conducted in 2016. The variables included work conditions (number of night shifts per month, daily overtime, number of paid holidays per year, and social support received), psychological status (sense of coherence, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement), and sociodemographic characteristics. An analysis of covariance was performed on the differences between the three groups (without children, with preschool-age children, and with children of other ages groups). The group without children had a relatively higher workload (p<0.01) and lower social support (p<0.01 and p<0.05). Additionally, they had higher emotional exhaustion and lower work engagement (p<0.01). This study confirmed the uneven distribution of work environment by work-life balance measures.

Emergency nurses' communication experiences with patients and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

In the emergency department, essential information is verified primarily through communication with patients and families. Thus, an in-depth understanding of emergency nurses' communication experiences with patients is required to facilitate the provision of effective therapeutic care.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze emergency nurses' communication experiences with patients and their families.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was used. Interviews were conducted with 15 nurses between 2021 and 2022. Thematic analysis was carried out. This study was conducted in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ).

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: transformation of communication approaches due to COVID-19, obstacles in therapeutic communication, and continuous endeavors for improved communication.

CONCLUSION

Emergency nurses experienced various barriers in communication with patients and their families, which were exacerbated by COVID-19. Nevertheless, nurses attempted to enhance their communication skills. Organizational support is pertinent to establish effective communication strategies.