The meaning of work for nursing assistants who stay in long-term care.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the meaning of work for nursing assistants who stay in long-term care.


BACKGROUND
Nursing assistants are important caregivers in long-term agencies. While studies have examined why nursing assistants leave, their motivation to stay has not been well studied.


METHODS
An existential-phenomenological study was conducted using Pollio's approach.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 nursing assistants in four nursing homes. Interviews were analysed within the context of an interpretive research group. Findings were represented in a diagram of interrelated figural/ground themes.


CONCLUSIONS
The meaning of work emerged as an experience of family, pride and control, in spite of an environment fraught with hostility, disrespect and lack of control.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing assistants provide most of the care to residents of long-term facilities. Understanding their perspective offers insight into nursing administrators in creating environments in which safe, compassionate and cost-effective care co-exist. Implications for clinical practice are framed within King's theory of goal attainment.
Secrest
Janet
J
UC Foundation Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37343, USA. janet-secrest@utc.edu
Iorio
Daniel H
DH
Martz
Wallis
W
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology