Critical care nurses: thriving or striving through workplace adversity

Witton, Nicola

Abstract

Aim: Nursing workforce levels are becoming critical, with evidence that highlights that more nurses are leaving the profession than are being trained. This situation is, exacerbated by an aging workforce, levels of staff retiring, and the effect of COVID-19. Critical Care (CC) is not immune to this situation. However, some seasoned nurses continue to work in CC for many years; little is known about why they stay and if they strive or thrive in a place renowned as having unhealthy work conditions. The study explores and describes the lived experiences of registered Critical Care nurses (CCNs), working in the CC environment who strive or thrive against adversity.

Method: Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) integrative review underpinned the research questions, enabling exploration of what is already known about the CCN workforce and their associated longevity. An explorative, descriptive methodology, framed on Husserl's (1859-1938) descriptive phenomenology approach (Beck, 2021) utilised semistructured interviews to explore sixteen CCNs experiences. Data was collected using a two-staged approach of purposive and theoretical convergent interviews.

Results: Using Colaizzi's (1978) seven stages of method analysis, findings revealed sixtyseven themes which were sub-divided into seven emergent themes, with sub-themes including belonging and labour of love. It is hoped that these findings will be beneficial in the development of retention strategies to stem the flow of CCNs who leave the specialism, their organisation and ultimately, the profession.

Contribution of new knowledge: Focusing on the newly developed CCN Intent to Remain model, incorporating sense of belonging, the work-family, ensuring safety to thrive, a culture of support (mothering) and psychological well-being (recognition and value) may positively influence the retention of those CCNs remaining in CC and promote a sense of thriving.

Citation

Witton, N. (2025). Critical care nurses: thriving or striving through workplace adversity. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1109978

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Keywords: Critical care; critical care nurse; lived experience; longevity; intent to remain; descriptive phenomenology
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1109978
• Award Date: 2025-03