Influential factors for expanding clinical nursing with additional occupations: Mixed-methods study

Although additional occupations (AO) may be of particular interest to nurses, insight into the factors influencing nurses to embark an AO is lacking. Therefore, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to define the factors influencing AO nursing from the perspective of nurses. In phase 1, a questionnaire was administered. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a univariate analysis. In phase 2, semi-structured individual interviews were performed. Data were analyzed thematically. A total of 272 nurses completed the questionnaire in phase 1. The most common reasons provided in the questionnaire for not having an AO was having a career that is sufficiently challenging, only being interested in providing patient care, and experiencing enough job satisfaction. However, most nurses indicated that they would consider an AO career in the future. In phase 2, twenty-one interviews were performed with 11 clinical nurses and 10 AO nurses. Four themes describing factors influencing AO nursing were composed: preconditions for AO, becoming familiar with AO, support from colleagues, and organizational support. In conclusion, AO nursing is a relatively new concept to nurses and healthcare organizations. The insights of this study emphasize the importance of creating awareness regarding AO nursing.