Exploring Registered Nurses' Experiences of Workplace Adversity: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Qualitative Health Research
• Workplace Psychology

Background:

• Workplace adversity presents a significant challenge for registered nurses.
• The impact of workplace adversity extends to nurses' physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, as well as their professional performance.
• Adversity can spill over from the workplace into nurses' personal lives, affecting overall quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore registered nurses' firsthand experiences of workplace adversity.
• To understand the multifaceted nature of workplace adversity and its effects on nurses.
• To identify factors that contribute to or mitigate the impact of workplace adversity.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study design was employed.
• Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven registered nurses in New Zealand between July and September 2022.
• Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's six-step process, was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: manifestations of workplace adversity, professional identity and resilience, coping strategies, and the nature of support systems.
• Nurses demonstrated resilience by drawing on past experiences and professional identity to navigate adversity.
• While professional development was beneficial, a supportive work environment that values diversity, promotes ethical practices, and offers positive role models was identified as critical.

Conclusions:

• Workplace adversity significantly affects nurses, necessitating strategies to mitigate its impact.
• Fostering professional identity and enhancing psychological resilience can help nurses counteract the negative effects of workplace adversity.
• Further research is needed to develop organizational-level strategies aimed at reducing workplace adversity and improving the nursing work environment.