Table 2.
Characteristics of the included studies (n = 12).
| Reference | Origin | Aim | Methodology | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiang et al. (20) | China | To explore the sense of professional benefit of nurses in emergency department | Using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview. The sample size was 16, including 2 males and 14 females. Age range: 24–47 | Four themes emerged: (1) Professional values (2) Organizational support (3) Family gain (4) Good working atmosphere |
| Xie et al. (21) | China | To explore the expectations of operating room nurses for burnout relief | Using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview. The sample size was 10, including 1 male and 9 female. Working years 1–25 years | Four themes emerged: (1) Expect support from colleagues (2) Expect support from the head nurse (3) Expect medical coordination and cooperation (3) Expect to improve nurses' professional identity and career planning |
| Li et al. (22) | China | To explore the occupational benefit of oncology nurses | Using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview. The sample size was 15, including 1 male and 14 female. Age range:24–49 | Five themes emerged: (1) Specialized nursing knowledge and skills (2) Professional affirmation after helping patients (3) Scientific research ability (4) Teaching ability (5) Peer help and support |
| Zhang et al. (23) | China | To explore the promoting factors of occupational stability of male nurses in tertiary hospitals | Using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview. The sample size was 9, with an age range of 26–31 | Seven themes emerged: (1) Nursing makes you valuable (2) Nursing work benefits the family (3) Male nurses have different advantages Satisfactory remuneration package (4) Good working atmosphere (5) Attention and training of leaders (6) Understanding and support from relatives and friends (7) Male nurses are gradually accepted by society |
| Xu et al. (24) | China | To understand the professional identity of operating room nurses | Using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview. The sample size was 9, including 3 males and 6 females. Age range: 23–40 | Five themes emerged: (1) The humanistic care I get in my work. (2) In compensation (3) The first aid ability and emergency response-ability (4) Realization of personal value and family gain |
| Atefi et al. (25) | Malaysia | To explore the job satisfaction of registered nurses in Malaysia | Qualitative research and face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interview were used. The sample size was 46 from operating rooms, intensive care units, and internal medicine. | Three themes emerged: (1) Spiritual feeling (2) Work environment factors (3) Motivation |
| McNeese-Smith (26) | USA | To explore the job satisfaction and dissatisfaction of nursing staff | Qualitative research and semi-structured taped interviews were used. The sample size was 30, including 28 females and 2 males, with an age range of 31–59. From ICU and internal medicine. | Four themes emerged: (1) Patient care (2) The pace and variety in an acute care environment (3) Relationships with coworkers. (4) Meeting personal and family needs |
| Fagerberg (27) | Sweden | To explore the work experience and professional identity of nurses | Phenomenological methods of qualitative research were used through annual interviews and student surveys. The sample size was 16. From intensive care units, psychiatric departments, operating rooms, and emergency departments. | Three themes emerged: (1) The meaning of caring for and protecting patients (2) The meaning of work organization in nurses' work (3) The implied meaning of using one's professional role. |
| McKenzie and Addis (28) | UK | To explore the job satisfaction of inpatient ward nurses in the nephrology department | Using phenomenological methods of qualitative research, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. The sample size was 12, from the critical ward and general ward of the department of nephrology. | Three themes emerged: (1) Self care (2) Organizational culture (3) Work environment |
| Kristoffersen (29) | Norway | To explore the influencing factors of nurses' intention to stay at work | The hermeneutic method of qualitative research is adopted. Sample size: 13 people, age range: 26–60, working years: 2–40 years. Mainly from emergency departments, intensive care units, psychiatry, and oncology | Two themes emerged: (1) Acting as a professional contributor (2) Realigning to maintain professional belongingness |
| Aagaard and Rasmussen (30) | Denmark | To explore the professional identity of anesthesiologists | Using ethnography of qualitative research. The sample size was 12, mainly for breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. | Two themes emerged: (1) Gliding between tasks and structures (2) Depending on independence |
| Sheng et al. (31) | China | To explore the professional identity of Chinese nurses participating in COVID-19 rescue missions | Using the phenomenological method of qualitative research. Through face-to-face and semi-structured interviews, the sample size was 14, all of whom participated in the support work in Wuhan, Hubei province, during the COVID-19 outbreak | Four themes emerged: (1) Impression of exhaustion and fear (2) Feeling the unfairness (3) Perceiving incompetence in the rescue task (4) Unexpected professional benefits |