Background

This practitioner-led study explores the experiences of mid- to long-serving nurses and midwives working in one NHS host organisation in England. The research stems from my professional journey and explores how practitioners perceive their careers and identities in relation to their work. With global shortages of nurses and midwives, revisiting workforce
policies to improve recruitment, retention and attrition is essential. This study offers new insights into the experiences of this substantial yet underrepresented group.

Aims

The study focuses on how social, temporal and spatial contexts shape professional decision making across careers. While much is known about newly qualified and pre-retirement practitioners, little is understood about the intersectional factors influencing mid- to long serving nurses and midwives. This research addresses that gap by exploring how these
contexts have shaped their professional lives.

Methods

Narrative inquiry (NI) provides the methodological framework for this study. NI is well-suited to exploring lived experiences. Ten participants were recruited via a host organisation’s gatekeeper under a data-sharing agreement. Semi-structured narrative interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, lasting approximately 60 minutes. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and anonymised with consent from the participants. Data sets were analysed using Connelly & Clandinin’s (1990) tri-dimensional framework and McCormack’s (2000a, 2000b) narrative lenses, allowing for a rich, layered exploration of their experiences.

Findings

Indicative findings reveal the importance of understanding how professional lives are constantly shaped by personal circumstances. Work was never an isolated experience; it always coexisted with other life events: marriage, motherhood, caring for relatives, moving cities, or even relocating to different countries for family needs. This idea of ‘with’ was central to understanding their professional lives. Work occurred in partnership with their personal experiences and career decisions were often life-based rather than purely work-based.

Conclusion

This project makes a meaningful contribution to organisational policy by identifying barriers and opportunities experienced by seasoned nurses and midwives. It highlights areas where support is needed to improve retention, enhance job satisfaction and foster a more empowered workforce. This study offers a nuanced understanding of how experienced nurses and midwives make professional decisions, informed by the interplay of work and life. By giving voice to these practitioners, the findings aim to strengthen organisational support, leading to better outcomes for staff, which in turn contribute to a stronger health care system.