Dual role caregivers in critical care nursing: Matrescence and workforce sustainability

To interpret the lived experience of matrescence (becoming a mother) among critical care nurse-mothers during maternity leave and the transition back to clinical practice.

An interpretive phenomenological design was used, guided by Heidegger's hermeneutics and Patricia Benner's framework. A purposive sample of 54 U.S. critical care nurse-mothers was recruited through a national nursing organization. Semi-structured Zoom interviews were analyzed.

Four emergent main themes captured the intersection of becoming a mother with high-acuity nursing practice: (1) Cognitive Recalibration, subjectively experienced as a "slowed" thinking followed by perceptions of increased ability to mutlitask in caregiving roles; (2) Emotional Labor and Guilt, an ongoing negotiation between professional composure and maternal presence; (3) Becoming What They Believe, the internalization of cultural myths of maternal decline amid limited perceptions of organizational support; and (4) Empathy Reframed Through Motherhood, in which nurse-mothers described expanded compassion, patience, and advocacy that enriched critical care practice.

Becoming a dual-role caregiver as a critical care nurse-mother reshapes identity through the interplay of professional, emotional, and cognitive transformation. When this developmental transition is acknowledged and supported, it strengthens nurses' confidence and sense of purpose; when ignored, it can contribute to strain and attrition.

Recognizing matrescence as a normal phase of professional development can guide leadership practices that value, rather than penalize, dual-role caregivers. Implementing flexible scheduling, equitable parental-leave policies, and supportive reintegration programs can help sustain nurse well-being, strengthen team culture, and promote a more sustainable critical care nursing workforce.