Concept Analysis: The Occupational Experiences of Long‐Term Care Nurses—Navigating Fragmented Transitions

Abstract

AimTransitions are broadly defined as movements from one place, stage, or subject to another. However, transitions which are broken and incomplete are referred to fragmented transitions. The aims of this concept analysis were to analyze the navigation of fragmented occupational transitions among long‐term care nurses and to develop a working conceptual definition of fragmented occupational transitions to inform diverse stakeholders.DesignConcept analysis.Data SourcesGoogle Scholar, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were accessed. Identified sources were interprofessional scholarly literature published between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2024, and seminal references.MethodWalker and Avant's eight‐stage concept analysis method.ResultsOccupational transitions in long‐term care are fragmented leading to grievous challenges across multiple aspects of nurses' lives. An analysis of the literature using a Transitions Theory lens reveals that their thoughts, feelings and ethical decisions are influenced over time by these transitions. Cardinal attributes include: (1) Fragmentation, (2) Ill‐timing, (3) Disruption, (4) Liminality, (5) Ambiguity, (6) Ambivalence and (7) Facilitators/Inhibitors. Antecedents stem from external sources and facility‐led initiatives. Consequences encompass product and process outcomes. Product outcomes include physical and psychological conditions, and process outcomes encompass resilience, flexibility, connection, coping, creativity, and communication.ConclusionThis concept analysis advances the science for understanding nurses' occupational transitional experiences in long‐term care. It will assist in risk assessment and instrument development ultimately improving the quality of long‐term care.ImplicationsFragmented occupational transitions in long‐term care are multifaceted and complex phenomena that require distinct responses from government, healthcare leaders, and scholars to improve the plight of long‐term care nurses and stakeholders.Patient or Public ContributionDr. A. I. Meleis contributed to this article by sharing her vast insight into transitions.