Alone and together: registered nurses’ experiences of work satisfaction in municipal home healthcare

Abstract

Background: The need for advanced home healthcare (HHC) is expected to increase, with registered nurses (RNs) as key figures. Given the difficulties recruiting and retaining RNs in the HHC sector, understanding their work satisfaction is imperative. Aim: This study aimed to explore RNs’ experiences of work satisfaction in the municipal HHC. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with RNs (n = 8) in four municipalities in Norway. The data were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results: Work satisfaction in HHC was organised into one theme ‘alone and together’ under four categories—the patient, the co-worker, the registered nurse, and the organisation—and 15 subcategories, including patient diversity, supportive co-workers and professional environment, appropriate workload and responsibilities, and provision of preconditions for self-management. Conclusions: Patients, co-workers, and organisations were identified as crucial areas affecting RNs’ work satisfaction in the municipal HHC. Awareness of these areas is essential to promote RNs’ work satisfaction. Patients’ diversity adds positively to RNs’ work satisfaction. Notably, RNs working alone can affect their work satisfaction not only negatively but also positively.