Choosing life goals: a phenomenological study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Qualitative Psychology

Background:

• Understanding the process of life goal selection is crucial for personal and professional development.
• Nurse administrators face unique challenges in balancing career and personal aspirations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To uncover the meaning of the lived experience of choosing life goals.
• To explore the process of life goal selection among married women nurse administrators.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study utilizing Giorgi's (1975) qualitative method.
• Analysis of written descriptions of situations involving life goal choices from seven nurse administrators.

Main Results:

• Choosing life goals is characterized by a struggle to fulfill competing ambitions.
• Participants experienced paradoxical feelings of calmness-turmoil, success-defeat, and security-insecurity.
• The process involves affirming cherished beliefs amidst these competing desires.

Conclusions:

• The phenomenological method is valuable for nursing research.
• Findings expand Parse's theory of human becoming in nursing.
• Understanding life goal choices enhances knowledge of health and decision-making processes.