Nurse students’ thoughts on a sustainable professional life as nurses: A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: In a global context of an increasing and aging population, along with environmental changes, nurses play an important role in relieving suffering among vulnerable people and groups in society. Sustainability in nursing contributes to sustainable development through providing an environment that is not detrimental to/protects present and future generations′ opportunities for good health. There is a global shortage of nurses, and it has been shown that, locally, every fifth newly graduated nurse considers leaving their new profession five years after graduation. The aim was to describe how nursing students’ thought about a sustainable professional life as nurses before their graduation. Materials and Methods: A qualitative design with a written data set was used, and a thematic analysis was performed. One hundred five students (80 women and 25 men) in semester six out of six of the nursing education program participated. Results: The analysis resulted in three themes: 1) to have an ethical foundation that guides the individual nurse in protecting the nursing care and developing the nursing care for their patients; 2) to be in a listening, reflexive and supportive workplace enabling a professional nurse to continuously grow and learn and 3) to be a proud professional nurse with integrity, not risking with their own health or personal professional development. Conclusion: The nursing students describe their thoughts on the requirements for having a sustainable professional life as nurses as having a strong inner ethical compass to help guide, protect and develop the nursing care for the patients. In addition, it requires a workplace with a reflexive and supporting culture. However, the nursing students also put their own health and the opportunities for professional growth at the top of their priorities, and if these conditions are lacking, they will switch to another workplace.