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. Backgrounf. 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.