Adaptation Process of Nurses Who Return to Work after Parental Leave

Abstract

This study was conducted to generate a grounded substantive theory of the adaptation process of nurses who return to work after taking parental leave. Methods: Individual in-depth interviews with 13 participants were conducted between June and September 2014. Participants were interviewed 1~3 times; interviews were continued until the data became saturated. Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory method. Results: The core category of experience of the process of adaptation as a nurse who returned to work after parental leave was 'trying to regain one's previous position'. Participants used five interactional strategies: 'preparing in advance', 'initiating relationships with colleagues', 'keeping a positive attitude', 'understanding parenting helpers', 'Taking burden off one's mind'. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the adaptation process of nurses returning to work after taking parental leave. The importance of improving nurses' attitudes to their co-workers who take parental leave is highlighted along with the necessity of providing a family-friendly work environment. These results can be used to develop supportive policies and programs for nurses who return to their work after parental leave.

Development and Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Parenting Stress among Clinical Nurses

“…Women in Korea struggle to maintain workefamily balance when they have children, and many eventually quit their jobs. Among women's various occupations, nursing is particularly difficult to combine with rearing children because of familyunfriendly work hours, such as shift work and weekend shifts, along with excessive workload [4]. Thus, married clinical nurses with children require a higher workehome balance than nurses without children or unmarried nurses; carrying on with work becomes challenging, and they may consider resigning [5,6].…”

Effect of Parenting Stress and Co-worker Support on Work-Life Balance in Nurses Reinstated after Parental Leave

“…. 직무에 적응하는 과정에는 '가정에서의 어려움'과 '직장에서의 어려움'이 복합적으로 작용한다 [5]. 간호 사를 대상으로 한 선행연구에서 양육스트레스는 삶의 질을 낮추 고 일-가정 양립 갈등에 양의 상관관계를 보이며 [7], 재직의도를 저하시키는 [8] 부정적인 결과들을 보였다.…”

A Study on the Awareness of Dental Hygienists on Maternity Protection and Work-Family Balance Assistance Policy

“…The maternity protection policy provides pre-and postnatal leave and reduced working hours during pregnancy, while the work-family balance assistance policy offers parental leave, reduced working hours during childhood, and family leave 8) . Research suggests that these policies positively impact female workers' job satisfaction, commitment, personal development, and work-family balance [9][10][11] .…”