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. 2020 Dec;22(4):1169-1176.
doi: 10.1111/nhs.12789. Epub 2020 Nov 16.

Flourishing at work: Nurses' motivation through daily communication - An ethnographic approach

Carina Ahlstedt  1 , Carin Eriksson Lindvall  2 , Inger K Holmström  1   3 , Åsa Muntlin  1   4   5
Affiliations

Flourishing at work: Nurses' motivation through daily communication - An ethnographic approach

Carina Ahlstedt et al. Nurs Health Sci. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Shortage and turnover of registered nurses are worldwide challenges, and work motivation is one factor in retaining staff in the healthcare sector. The aim of this study was to explore registered nurses' motivation expressed in daily communication, using the basic needs in self-determination theory as a framework. A secondary analysis of ethnographic data, collected through participant observations, informal interviews during observations, and individual interviews, was used. A total sample of all registered nurses employed at a hospital unit in Sweden (n = 10) participated. The data were analyzed thematically through the lens of the basic needs in self-determination theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Self-regulation of learning, the possibilities to discuss work-related challenges with colleagues, and having registered nurses lead dialogues with physicians were factors connected to autonomy. Having a registered nurse and physician solve problems together was a factor connected to competence. A sense of belonging and security in a permissive climate between registered nurses was connected to relatedness. This paper has implications for increased awareness of the three basic motivational needs, which could be used in the development of attractive workplaces.

Keywords: communication; healthcare sector; motivation; nurses; self-determination theory; workplace interdisciplinary communication.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A modified illustration of the self‐determination theory (based on Ryan and Deci, 2017)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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