Tímarit hjúkrunarfræðinga - 2020, Page 111

ritrýnd grein scientific paper
tímarit hjúkrunarfræðinga • 3. tbl. 96. árg. 2020 111
Aim: The purpose of the study was to increase knowledge and
deepen understanding of the experience of young assistant nurse
managers that belong to the Y-generation (born 1980–2000), of
their management work.
Method: In this phenomenological study nine young assistant
nurse managers were interviewed once or twice, in total of 12 in-
terviews.
Results: “I somehow have the ambition to the maximum” is the
overarching theme of the study and describes well the energized
ambition that characterized the participants. There were three
main themes, “I saw more advantages than disadvantages”: moti-
vating factors, “projects are innumerable somehow”: hindering
factors and “I want to be accessible, but this is also a distraction”:
compromized privacy. Participants experienced great opportuni-
ties in being assistant nurse managers, which they found an en-
joyable role but also challenging and stressful. Their roles were
poorly defined and it was noticeable how little job integration and
support they received, which increased their stress. Many parti -
cipants were beginning to feel exhausted because of the numerous
tasks they were responsible for and were not given enough time
during working-hours to perform. The tasks were often completed
at home which disrupted the work-life balance important for the
participants. Some participants experienced ageism and felt that
staff members allowed themselves to be very critical towards them
and even rude after they took up the position of assistant nurse
managers. The participants felt they had personality traits that
helped them cope with challenging administrative roles and yet
about half of the them had developed health-related disorders such
as anxiety, elevated blood pressure and burnout, which can be at-
tributed to stress.
Conclusions: It is important to provide young assistant nurse
managers with good integration and clear job description, while
also helping them to develop good coping skills to handle stress
and promote good health.
Keywords: Assistant nurse-managers, Y-generation, support,
stress, phenomenology
Correspondent: zandrasg@gmail.com
English Summary
Gunnarsdottir, S. S., Halldorsdottir, S.
“I somehow have the ambition to the maximum”
Young assistant nurse managers’ experience of management practice