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Uncovering a health and wellbeing gap among professional nurses: situated experiences of direct care nurses in two Canadian cities

Author

Listed:
  • Boateng, Godfred O.
  • Schuster, Roseanne C.
  • Odei Boateng, Mavis

Abstract

Understanding the drivers of nurses' poor health and the implications for quality of care are important in sustaining a healthy workforce, stimulating professional nursing practice, and ensuring healthy lives while promoting the wellbeing of nurses of all ages. Previous scholarship has identified factors influencing nurses' wellbeing, but have neglected to take a comprehensive approach to assessing the multiple dimensions of nurses' wellbeing and their collective, syndemic effects. Neither have these studies explored the context within which these experiences occur, or how these experiences differ for nurses with multiple marginalized identities in spite of an increasingly diverse workforce. Using the six dimensions of wellness framework, we examined the distinct and interrelated dimensions of nurses' wellbeing that were either enhanced or aggravated by professional practice and how it changed by nurses' race and ethnicity using their situated experiences. The study was conducted using a qualitative research design, which drew on phenomenology and in-depth interviews with Registered and Practical Nurses (n = 70) in two Canadian cities. Of the six dimensions of wellbeing identified, direct care practice enhanced nurses' occupational, intellectual, and spiritual wellbeing, but worsened their physical, emotional and social health. A health gap was found along racial lines, as ethnic minority nurses reported more detrimental effects of direct care nursing on their physical, emotional, occupational, and social wellbeing than their white counterparts. Nurses resorted to institutional structures, social and emotional support from supervisors, coworkers and family members, and engaged in spiritual activities to cope with these adverse health effects. These findings highlight the utility of an adaptable framework in identifying the multiple dimensions and gaps in nurses' wellbeing. Furthermore, our findings echo the urgent need for workplace and safety policies that address issues of diversity and make the work environment safe, equitable and promote nurse productivity and quality care.

Suggested Citation

  • Boateng, Godfred O. & Schuster, Roseanne C. & Odei Boateng, Mavis, 2019. "Uncovering a health and wellbeing gap among professional nurses: situated experiences of direct care nurses in two Canadian cities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:242:y:2019:i:c:s0277953619305623
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:5511 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:5512 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Benjamin Schilgen & Albert Nienhaus & Oriana Handtke & Holger Schulz & Mike Mösko, 2017. "Health situation of migrant and minority nurses: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, June.
    4. Boateng, Godfred O. & Adams, Tracey L., 2016. "“Drop dead … I need your job”: An exploratory study of intra-professional conflict amongst nurses in two Ontario cities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 35-42.
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    Cited by:

    1. Haynes, Emma & Walker, Roz & Mitchell, Alice G. & Katzenellenbogen, Judy & D'Antoine, Heather & Bessarab, Dawn, 2021. "Decolonizing Indigenous health: Generating a productive dialogue to eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).

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