"I am still passionate despite the challenges": Nurses navigating the care for refugees.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To report the challenges faced by the nursing workforce in refugee health. BACKGROUND: Nurses are in the forefront of care provision for refugees who are recognised as one of the most vulnerable population groups in the world. The number of refugees in Australia is increasing, and more nurses are needed as care providers. Research on the challenges faced by refugee health nurses is sparse. DESIGN: Qualitative research methodology was used to study the experience of refugee health nurses. Using a descriptive qualitative research approach, a better understanding of the ongoing challenges of caring for refugees is presented. METHOD: Semi-structured interview with a convenience sample of registered nurses who worked in New South Wales refugee health services was conducted and digitally recorded in 2013. Responses were transcribed verbatim and analysed for themes. RESULTS: Six refugee health nurses who have been working in New South Wales refugee health services between 1-8 years participated in this study. A thematic analysis of the data led to three main themes: caring for clients with challenging needs; challenges in the course of caring for refugees; and passion in caring for refugees. Participants reported what it means to be refugee health nurses, they explored their roles and emphasised the need to understand refugee health issues. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides more insight into the unique experiences nurses have when caring for refugees. More debriefing opportunities and resources may reduce the challenges of caring. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The refugee health nurses' stories support the need for further role refinement for nurses caring for refugees in the community, rural areas and health clinics. This is essential in promoting their well-being and that of the vulnerable population they are caring for.

Developing a tool to measure the factors influencing nurses' enjoyment of nursing.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a tool to measure the influencing nurses' enjoyment of nursing. BACKGROUND: Enjoyment in the workplace is an influential aspect found to boost work morale, job satisfaction leading to higher work retention which is important in nursing given the availability of nurses in the workforce. This study looks to refine the determinants of enjoyment from nurses in a large metropolitan hospital in western Sydney. DESIGN: Quantitative. METHODS: A 23-item survey questionnaire was used to ask nurses to rate the determinants that affect their enjoyment of nursing on a five-point Likert scale. The survey was distributed in a hard copy and online through a hospital-wide broadcast. Demographic items were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 124 responses were received, of which 54 were from online and 70 from hard copy surveys. The data analysis found 16 determinants of enjoyment. Of these, four were perceived by over 80% of the nurses to negatively impact their enjoyment. In contrast, nine items showed a positive effect on enjoyment with educating others, connecting with others, variety of work, doing and sharing with others, supporting others being the most positive (≥89% of responses). Three items were considered neutral: criticism, busy workload and changing policies. CONCLUSIONS: This study has added to the growing evidence on nurse enjoyment and its effects on job satisfaction. Nurses enjoy caring for patients and also find enjoyment and satisfaction in teaching others to care as well as socially connecting. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Enjoyment seems to be one of the main reasons nurses continue to stay in nursing even though the system and people are not always supportive, encouraging or conducive to career development.

Enjoyment in nursing--experiences from the clinical milieu.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To present findings from a qualitative study which aimed to explore and describe experiences of enjoyment in nursing. BACKGROUND: The topic of 'enjoying nursing' is often part of job satisfaction surveys conducted in the workplace and in some studies it has been found to be the prime reason that nurses stay in the workforce. However, there is little research which explores the concept fully. DESIGN: Qualitative in-depth interviews. METHOD: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 17 nurses in a local health district in Sydney, Australia. Data from digitally recorded individual interviews were transcribed and the content was analysed for themes relating to aspects of nursing that were enjoyable and others that were not. RESULTS: The major themes to emerge from the data describing enjoyment of nursing were: doing for others, supporting others and educating others. Themes that identified not enjoying nursing were related to the aggression of others, i.e. patients/clients, families or other staff in the workplace, as well as system issues. System issues referred mainly to the need for support from other nurses and management. CONCLUSION: Nurses still enjoy caring for patients and teaching others to care. This is the reason they remain in nursing even though the system and people are not always supportive or encouraging. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Managers and educators can use these results to assist them to understand the importance of giving support to nursing staff to optimise their enjoyment of caring for their patients/clients.