Work Engagement among Acute Care Nurses: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aims. To understand how Omani nurses conceptualize work engagement, explore factors influencing engagement, and identify strategies to improve work engagement. Design. A qualitative study design. Methods. Semistructured interviews were conducted with twenty-one Omani nurses from four acute-care hospitals. Interview transcripts were examined using directed content analysis. Results. Participants defined work engagement as a positive state where nurses are engaged physically, emotionally, and mentally with work. Mentally engaged nurses’ minds are occupied with patients even when they are off duty. Organizational factors affecting work engagement were leadership, teamwork, autonomy, pay, and job demand. Individual factors affecting engagement included considering nursing a rewarding profession. A social factor was family commitments. Strategies suggested to improve engagement included improved pay and monetary incentives, working system flexibility, open-door policy, performance feedback, recognition, and resources. Conclusion. Mentally engaged nurses are attached to work even when they are off duty. Nurses’ gait and facial expressions can indicate high or low work engagement. Nurses with family obligations felt drained of energy, affecting their vigor and enthusiasm at work. Implications. Management skills and practices impact work engagement. Nurse’s feedback can be used to improve practice and design interventions that promote nurses’ engagement.