Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
First Supervisor
Olivia Gallagher
Second Supervisor
Deborah Sundin
Abstract
Aim: The nursing profession has significantly evolved, leading to increased complexity and specialisation in practice. Nurses often face stressful work environments due to rising patient acuity and limited staffing, which can negatively impact their mental health and job satisfaction. While support systems are known to mitigate work-related stress, there is a lack of research on the specific social and emotional support needs of nurses in the workplace. This study aims to explore nurses' perceptions of the support they receive at work, identify their specific needs, and identify strategies to enhance their wellbeing. Improving support for nurses is essential for their personal wellbeing and for maintaining high-quality patient care.
Method: The study employed a qualitative approach, utilising narrative inquiry to capture the narratives of eight practicing nurses' encounters with, and requirements for, social and emotional support. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Narrative analysis was employed to reconstruct each participant's story, followed by vertical and horizontal analysis using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach.
Findings: This study identified six key themes from participant narratives, revealing significant insights into the workplace experience:
Theme one: Defining Emotional and Social Support: Participants defined social and emotional support in the workplace as a comprehensive sense of assurance and assistance available from colleagues and supervisors. This support network fosters an environment where employees feel professionally safe and can focus on their roles without fear of being unsupported. The overarching sense of being supported or unsupported significantly influences their overall workplace experience.
Theme two: Intraprofessional Bullying: The theme of intraprofessional bullying emerged from participants' descriptions of bullying and harassment within their workplaces. This culture of bullying, coupled with a lack of social and emotional support and a fear of speaking up, contributes to an unpleasant working environment and negatively impacts personal well-being. Participants reported various forms of abuse, including racial abuse, name-calling, harassment, and both vertical and horizontal bullying. Many felt that conflict resolution was futile, and their concerns were often ignored, leading to a feeling of being unsupported. Despite recognising the toxic culture, participants continued working in these settings, adversely affecting their mental health.
Theme three: Professional Safety: During times of uncertainty and distress, some participants felt comforted and supported by management or colleagues. Of the eight stories, four described situations where a sense of professional safety was provided through emotional support, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and management that demonstrated a supportive attitude. This professional safety helped participants feel more secure in their roles.
Theme four: Toxicity’s Toll: Participants' stories reflected a toxic workplace culture characterized by a lack of leadership, bullying by staff and management, and feelings of unappreciation. This toxic environment impacted participants both personally and professionally, affecting their mental health and professional identities as nurses. The negative culture hindered their ability to provide high-quality patient care.
Theme five: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: This theme focused on the formation of close professional relationships. Participants highlighted the benefits of a sense of belonging and positive teamwork, which contributed to greater professional satisfaction. Despite challenging clinical situations, a strong sense of team, belonging, and effective communication had significant positive impacts on staff satisfaction. Key elements included effective communication, respect for colleagues, and safe, trusting professional relationships.
Theme six: Meeting Unmet Social and Emotional Support Needs: Participants provided recommendations to improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and processes. While some accounts described their workplaces positively, many participants felt unheard, undervalued, and unsafe. They emphasised the need for open communication, feedback, respect, team[1]building activities, and validation. Recommendations included a greater focus on building effective teams, improving the working environment, and increasing training opportunities to enhance overall employee well-being and performance.
Conclusion: Overall, this study provides valuable insights into nurses’ perspectives on social and emotional support mechanisms in the workplace, illuminating existing gaps and suggesting potential strategies to improve the resources as offered by healthcare organisations. Given the increasing demands and challenges within the nursing profession, understanding, addressing nurses’ support needs is crucial for enhancing their overall wellbeing and job satisfaction. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to support nurses in their vital roles, particularly as the healthcare industry faces the looming challenge of a projected nursing shortage in the near future.
The findings of this study underscore the necessity for a transformative shift in fostering supportive nursing environments. Healthcare institutions and stakeholders must take concrete actions to create an environment where nurses are not only acknowledged and valued but also nurtured and empowered. Ultimately, these changes will enhance the quality of patient care and elevate the nursing profession. This study offers substantial implications for nursing education by advocating for the integration of emotional and social support training into nursing curricula, emphasising the importance of addressing collegial bullying, promoting teamwork and collaboration, and developing management and leadership skills among students. Resilience training, mentorship programs, self-care initiatives, effective communication training, and an emphasis on policy advocacy and continuous learning are all highlighted as essential components in preparing future nurses to deliver high-quality care while navigating the emotional and social challenges of the profession.
DOI
10.25958/d3t5-xp97
Recommended Citation
Costello, M. (2024). Practising nurses’ perceptions of, and need for, social and emotional support within the workplace. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/d3t5-xp97