The social processes that emergency nurses use to achieve sustainability: A constructivist grounded theory.

AIM: To examine the experiences of emergency nurses and develop a substantive theory that describes the processes they use to support or prevent sustainability in their nursing practice. DESIGN: Constructivist grounded theory. METHODS: Between February 2018 and January 2019, observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 emergency nurses. Data underwent constant comparison, and coding was performed in three phases: open, focused, and theoretical, employing constructivist grounded theory. Additionally, some situational analysis mapping was undertaken and integrated as a method to explore the broader context affecting nursing practice. The study achieved theoretical saturation and rigour was ensured through evaluations of credibility, transferability, and confirmability. RESULTS: A substantive grounded theory was constructed to describe the basic social process of 'Achieving Personal and Professional Sustainability' with subprocesses that included 'Driving forces', 'Developing and using armouries', 'Balancing work-life', and 'Making emergency work effective'. This theory delineates two phases, 'exploration and establishment' and 'maintenance', and two key properties: 'Constructing and evolving professional identity' and 'Perceiving and reshaping the meaning of effective work and care'. The theory also highlights the dynamic interplay of individual, social, and institutional elements. CONCLUSION: 'Achieving Personal and Professional Sustainability' is important for emergency nurses to sustain themselves personally and professionally in their work. IMPACT STATEMENT: This research has substantial and global impacts. Emergency nursing can use this information as a guide to better understand strategies for both personal and professional sustainability. Policymakers may use the findings to foster a supportive work environment and enhance nurse well-being. Implementation of recommendations can lead to improved patient care outcomes. The methodological approach offers potential for future research, positively impacting emergency nursing practice and workforce sustainability worldwide. REPORTING METHOD: Reporting adheres to EQUATOR's COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

How emergency nurses cope and motivate themselves to sustain their caring work: An integrative literature review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this integrative review was to assess how emergency nurses cope and motivate themselves to sustain their caring work. BACKGROUND: The need to enhance sustainability of the workforce creates a demand to consolidate contemporary evidence related to emergency nurses' motivations, how they cope and sustain themselves for caring work. DESIGN AND METHODS: The integrative literature review informed by Whittemore and Knafl involved searching four databases, which yielded 977 published research papers (2008-2021). A total of 33 studies met the inclusion and quality assessment criteria. The PRISMA checklist for review was followed. RESULTS: No studies addressing all three areas (motivations, coping and caring sustainability) together were identified. Integration of evidence from quantitative and qualitative research was achieved in three categories: (1) emergency nurses' motivations to sustain their work, (2) emergency nurses' coping strategies and (3) sustaining care as emergency nurses. CONCLUSION: To sustain themselves in caring work, emergency nurses need to be intrinsically and extrinsically motivated and know how to cope effectively with stressors and work demands. There is need for research examining the relationships between these aspects of emergency nursing work. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To ensure the sustainability of emergency nurses' work and careers understanding of the factors that influence and sustain their motivations and coping strategies is important for nurses and their clinical leaders and managers.