The meaning of work for nursing assistants who stay in long‐term care

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 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. DESIGN: 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. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: 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.