“A Mother Makes a Better Nurse”: A Phenomenological Study of Neonatal Nurses’ Readiness Recalibration Following Postpartum Return to Work

Aim: To explore the lived experience of neonatal nurses returning to work postpartum, focusing on their adaptation processes and the recalibration of professional readiness under the influence of motherhood. Background: The transition back to work postpartum for nurses, particularly in high-acuity areas like neonatal care, presents multifaceted challenges. While existing literature addresses general nurses' return-to-work experiences, a significant gap exists in understanding the specific lived experience of neonatal nurses. Moreover, the potential for maternal identity to reshape professional practice remains underexplored. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted. Using a purposive sampling strategy, seventeen neonatal nurses who returned to work within 1-12 months postpartum in China were recruited. Data were collected through individual in-depth, semistructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. Results: Four interconnected themes emerged revealing a dynamic process of "readiness recalibration" that demonstrates how "a mother makes a better nurse": (1) establishment of maternal identity fundamentally reoriented life priorities and emotional frameworks; (2) multifaceted adaptation challenges encompassed prereturn anxiety, physiological and psychological impacts, skill readjustment, and breastfeeding-work integration difficulties; (3) maternal identity-enhanced empathetic capacity, transformed care behaviors, and strengthened family-centered care philosophy while creating dual role conflicts; and (4) ecosystem factors either facilitated or constrained successful transition with significant institutional support gaps identified. Conclusion: The postpartum return for neonatal nurses represents a profound journey of professional enhancement, not merely recovery. Maternal experience serves as an informal education that enriches neonatal care, but this transition requires robust institutional support to mitigate unique challenges and optimize nurse well-being. Implications for Nursing Management: Healthcare organizations should implement comprehensive support strategies, including structured re-entry programs, robust breastfeeding accommodation, and flexible scheduling, to harness the enhanced capacity motherhood brings while addressing the unique vulnerabilities and adaptation challenges of returning neonatal nurses.