A theoretical model of ageing hospital nurses' well-being at work

AIM: To describe the development process of a theoretical model of ageing hospital nurses' well-being at work and the subsequent testing of the model itself. BACKGROUND: Factors evoking well-being at work need to be identified to promote nurses' well-being. METHOD: Qualitative data (n = 21) from ageing hospital nurses, consisting of interviews, diaries and open data collection forms were collected and analysed using grounded theory method. Based on the finding, a survey was developed. Quantitative data (n = 328) were collected from hospital nurses born between the years 1948-1962. Explorative factor analysis was used to create the theoretical model. RESULTS: The main concepts of the model were nurse-nurse interaction, nurse-patient interaction and patient-care centeredness. CONCLUSION: According to the theoretical model, well-being at work can be described as nurses' experience of collaboration, cooperation and togetherness with other nurses in a supporting and caring work environment. The aim and possibility of high-quality patient care, in a spirit where nurses and nursing are appreciated, were also revealed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The importance of nurse-nurse interaction and nurse-patient interaction as well as ageing nurses' patient-care centeredness needs to be taken into account in nursing management and leadership.