A1 Journal article (refereed)
The extended late career phase : examining senior nursing professionals (2022)


Salminen, H., von Bonsdorff, M. E., McPhee, D., & Heilmann, P. (2022). The extended late career phase : examining senior nursing professionals. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 17(2), 183-200. https://doi.org/10.1108/qrom-10-2020-2051


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Salminen, Hanna; von Bonsdorff, Monika E.; McPhee, Deborah; Heilmann, Pia

Journal or series: Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management

ISSN: 1746-5648

eISSN: 1746-5656

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 02/12/2021

Volume: 17

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 183-200

Publisher: Emerald

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/qrom-10-2020-2051

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82512


Abstract

Purpose
By relying on a sustainable career perspective and recent studies on senior employees’ late career phase, this study aims to examine senior (50+) nurses’ late career narratives in the context of extending retirement age. Given the current global nursing shortage, there is a pressing need to find ways on how to promote longer and sustainable careers in the health-care field. Yet, there is limited knowledge about the extended late career phase of senior nurses.

Design/methodology/approach
Empirical data were derived from 22 interviews collected among senior (50+) nursing professionals working in a Finnish university hospital. The qualitative interview data were analysed using a narrative analysis method. As a result of the narrative analysis, four career narratives were constructed.

Findings
The findings demonstrated that senior nurses’ late career narratives differed in terms of late career aspirations, constraints, mobility and active agency of one’s own career. The identified career narratives indicate that the building blocks of sustainable late careers in the context of extending retirement age are diverse.

Research limitations/implications
The qualitative interview data were restricted to senior nurses working in one university hospital. Interviews were conducted on site and some nurses were called away leaving some of the interviews shorter than expected.

Practical implications
To support sustainable late careers requires that attention be based on the whole career ecosystem covering individual, organizational and societal aspects and how they are intertwined together.

Originality/value
So far, few studies have investigated the extended late career phase of senior employees in the context of a changing career landscape.


Keywords: ageing employees; nursing staff; career; retirement

Free keywords: Late career; Nurses; Senior; Sustainable career; Retirement reform; Finland


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2022-20-09 at 15:17