Experience Among Postnatal Nurses With Two or Three Children Returning to Work Within 3 Months in China: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim To analyse experience in postnatal nurses returning to work within 3 months following the delivery of a second or third child and recommend appropriate measures to relieve pressure and enhance work engagement among this group. Methods This study adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach. Semi‐structured interview was carried out with 12 postnatal nurses who had returned to work in the postpartum period following the delivery of a second or third child. The collected data were analysed using the Colaizzi method. Results Experience among postnatal nurses with two or three children was found to stem from three factors: declining physical quality after childbirth (pelvic floor disorder, fatigue, postpartum memory decline and sleep disturbance), poor psychological adjustment after childbirth (work–family conflict, conflict between clinical work and breastfeeding and role maladjustment) and lack of clear career planning. Conclusion This study emphasised the importance of psychological experience when postnatal nurses returning to clinical work in the early phase. Postnatal nurses and nurse leaders can use these results to make comprehensive solution in order to improve work engagement in the postpartum return. Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.

Keywords

• nurse
• postpartum period
• qualitative research
• return to work
• work engagement