An interpretive phenomenological study on nurses’ perceived affective wellbeing at work

Nurses face increasingly complex and challenging workloads, exacerbated by high rates of absenteeism, mental health issues, and low morale, all of which significantly impact patient care. This study focuses on exploring nurses’ perceived affective wellbeing, perceived workload burden, and the current working conditions they face. The objective was to understand nurses’ perspectives on affective wellbeing, self-care, and work-life balance. We utilized an interpretative phenomenological approach to design the data collection and management for this study. Through open dialogue, we explored the notion of wellbeing at work with nurses of varying levels of work experience, from fairly novice to expert practitioners who have worked for decades in their fields. The broader responsibilities of nurses of nurses within the National Health Service (NHS) were also examined. Two experts in interpretative phenomenological analysis led the discussion in three different groups, which each consisted of nurses with similar years of work experience, averaging 13 years. Thirty-eight registered nurses volunteered to participate in these discussion groups, with participants recruited from postgraduate courses and representing both acute and community care settings in regional hospitals. Nurses shared insights into what makes nursing a rewarding job but also acknowledged the significant challenges they face. Discussions highlight the stressful and traumatic circumstances nurses often encounter, particularly noting a lack of collegiality among nurses at all levels, limited career aspirations, inadequate support with workloads, and the emotional distress experienced in daily work life. Nurses described their jobs as exhausting and draining, leading to physical and emotional fatigue, detachment, and isolation. These findings hold relevance within the current landscape of nurse and resource shortages in the NHS. Of note, this study identified deeper concerns within the nursing workforce, including emotional dissonance, role dissonance, and disengagement.