Nurses describe dedication, frustration associated with ...(of 20 years of experience. Commen...),Health

In the related theme of Balancing Priorities, nurses commented on the need to interrupt their job trajectory to care for family, described returning to school in their middle years and their wish for a better work schedule, less shift work on holidays and weekends, increased opportunity for promotion and for salary increases. Some nurses described switching positions to lessen stress and lower the pace, and taking part-time positions for more personal time and to avoid work-place politics.

As one nurse commented: I have found as I agemy time off is more important than most all other aspects. A major theme under Practice Deterrents was pay inequity. Commented one participant: Money is a major issue with many nurses. Although people say money is not a motivator, almost every nurse I know would be much more motivated if we were paid well enough so that we are not forced to work two jobs and if our advanced degrees were compensated.

Another common deterrent was lack of respect, which is the reason one respondent is leaving the profession: We have demanding stressful roles. Yet our employers see us as expendable, replaceable and interchangeable with a variety of lesser-trained support staff.

Other comments echoed this concern: The voice of experience is not respected; the older nurse is not valued, comment one respondent.

Work demands -- My heart is at the bedside, the rest of my body couldnt do it-- and safety issues -- I left hospital nursing after 20 years because I became horrified and disgusted at the mistakes being made -- also were mentioned frequently as a deterrent.

The final theme cov
'/>"/>