Al Mamari H, Groves PS. Work Engagement among Acute Care Nurses: A Qualitative Study.
Nurs Res Pract 2023;
2023:2749596. [PMID:
37881647 PMCID:
PMC10597732 DOI:
10.1155/2023/2749596]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims
To understand how Omani nurses conceptualize work engagement, explore factors influencing engagement, and identify strategies to improve work engagement.
Design
A qualitative study design.
Methods
Semistructured interviews were conducted with twenty-one Omani nurses from four acute-care hospitals. Interview transcripts were examined using directed content analysis.
Results
Participants defined work engagement as a positive state where nurses are engaged physically, emotionally, and mentally with work. Mentally engaged nurses' minds are occupied with patients even when they are off duty. Organizational factors affecting work engagement were leadership, teamwork, autonomy, pay, and job demand. Individual factors affecting engagement included considering nursing a rewarding profession. A social factor was family commitments. Strategies suggested to improve engagement included improved pay and monetary incentives, working system flexibility, open-door policy, performance feedback, recognition, and resources.
Conclusion
Mentally engaged nurses are attached to work even when they are off duty. Nurses' gait and facial expressions can indicate high or low work engagement. Nurses with family obligations felt drained of energy, affecting their vigor and enthusiasm at work. Implications. Management skills and practices impact work engagement. Nurse's feedback can be used to improve practice and design interventions that promote nurses' engagement.
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