Affiliation:
1. The School of Medicine and Population Health The University of Sheffield, Regent Court Sheffield UK
2. Division of Nursing and Midwifery, The School of Allied Health Professionals, Nursing and Midwifery University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
3. Leeds Beckett University Leeds UK
4. Waterford Institute of Technology Waterford City Ireland
Abstract
AbstractAimsTo examine changes in advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) well‐being, satisfaction and motivation over a four‐year period.DesignLongitudinal Cohort study.MethodsSurveys were carried out each year from 2019 to 2022 with the same cohort of ANPs in the United Kingdom (UK). The survey consisted of demographics, questions on contemporary issues in advanced practice, National Health Service (NHS) staff survey questions and validated questionnaires. A core set of questions were asked every year with some changes in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsResponse rate ranged from 40% to 59% and appeared to be affected by COVID‐19. Staff satisfaction with pay and the well‐being score were stable throughout. Other questions on well‐being, job satisfaction and motivation saw statistically significant reductions after 4 years. Open‐ended questions about ongoing well‐being concerns show participants are concerned about exhaustion levels caused by workload, staffing issues, abuse from patients and colleagues' mental health.ConclusionThe findings highlight a decline in ANP well‐being, job satisfaction and motivation post‐COVID‐19. Reasons for this, explored in the qualitative data, show that ANPs have faced extremely difficult working conditions. Urgent action is required to prevent a workforce retention crisis as many nursing staff are close to retirement and may not be motivated to remain in post.ImpactThis study has followed ANPs through the most challenging years the NHS has ever seen. Job satisfaction, motivation and enjoyment of the job all significantly reduced over time. In many areas, the ANP role has been used to fill medical workforce gaps, and this will become harder to do if ANPs are dissatisfied, disaffected and struggling with stress and burnout. Addressing these issues should be a priority for policymakers and managers.Patient or public contributionNone as this study focussed on staff. Staff stakeholders involved in the design and conduct of the study.