Organization of Work Factors Associated with Work Ability among Aging Nurses

The United States (U.S.) workforce is aging. There is a paucity of literature exploring aging nurses’ work ability. This study explored the work-related barriers and facilitators influencing work ability in older nurses. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study of aging nurses working in direct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Western journal of nursing research 2020-06, Vol.42 (6), p.397-404
Main Authors: Stimpfel, Amy Witkoski, Arabadjian, Milla, Liang, Eva, Sheikhzadeh, Ali, Weiner, Shira Schecter, Dickson, Victoria Vaughan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ability
Aging
Content analysis
Intrinsic motivation
Nurses
Nursing
Organizational factors
Patients
Teamwork
Work-Leisure conflict
Workforce
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Summary:The United States (U.S.) workforce is aging. There is a paucity of literature exploring aging nurses’ work ability. This study explored the work-related barriers and facilitators influencing work ability in older nurses. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study of aging nurses working in direct patient care (N = 17). Participants completed phone or in-person semi-structured interviews. We used a content analysis approach to analyzing the data. The overarching theme influencing the work ability of aging nurses was intrinsically motivated. This was tied to the desire to remain connected with patients at bedside. We identified factors at the individual, unit-based work level and the organizational level associated with work ability. Individual factors that were protective included teamwork, and feeling healthy and capable of doing their job. Unit-based level work factors included having a schedule that accommodated work-life balance, and one’s chronotype promoted work ability. Organizational factors included management that valued worker’s voice supported work ability.
ISSN:0193-9459
1552-8456
DOI:10.1177/0193945919866218