Respect, equality, and recognition in practice: a qualitative analysis of nurses’ workplace dignity in China

Abstract

Background: Workplace dignity is a fundamental ethical concern in nursing, directly related to professional identity, human rights, and the moral foundations of care. Despite increasing global attention, few qualitative studies have explored how nurses themselves perceive and articulate workplace dignity, particularly within sociocultural contexts marked by rapid healthcare transformation. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in January 2025 at a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, China. Sixteen registered nurses were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Nurses described workplace dignity as a subjective experience shaped by respect, equality, and recognition of self-worth. Influencing factors included sociodemographic characteristics, patient-related factors, organizational factors, and social factors. Conclusion: Workplace dignity is dynamic and socially constructed. Enhancing dignity requires supportive management, fair compensation, positive workplace culture, and improved societal recognition of the nursing profession.