Background: The prevalence of work-related health problems has led to an increase in sick leave causing both economic damage and the health of individuals around the globe. Stress-related illnesses are particularly reported within high-income countries. There is a need for more preventive measures and health-promotive actions to solve global work-related health challenges among nursing professionals. The thesis had a salutogenic framework and this paper highlights the results of two subsidiary studies from a PhD thesis.
Aim: This conference paper aims to illuminate nursing professionals’ experiences of their work-related health resources as well as barriers in Nepal and Sweden.
Methods: Both of the included studies had qualitative designs based on individual semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from 13 nursing professionals (registered nurses and registered midwives) during spring 2018 in Sweden and from 19 registered nurses during autumn 2018 in Nepal. Interviews were transcribed, and translated from Nepali into English. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis.
Results: Nursing professionals experienced several but similar challenges in both Nepal and Sweden. The common challenges were lack or limited support from the manager, work overload, and organizational dysfunction. Nursing professionals in Nepal described a more physical work environment as a hindrance whereas nursing professionals in Sweden described more psychosocial work-related problems. Collegial support, time for recovery, skills and competence development opportunities, rewards, and appreciation from the manager were described as the main resources at the workplace in both Nepal and Sweden. Nurses in both contexts found patient-related work meaningful and colleagues’ support added both happiness and made them feel the workplace as joyful.
Conclusion: A more Salutogenic focus with increasing work-related health resources as described by the nursing professionals is necessary to promote and sustain the health of nursing professionals in Nepal and Sweden.