Swedish assistant nurses´experiences of job satisfaction when caring for persons suffering from dementia and behavioural disturbances : An interview study

Job satisfaction is complex and is an important component in facilitating high quality nursing care. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) can be clustered into one of five syndromes: psychosis, aggression, psychomotor agitation, depression and apathy, and comprise signs and symptoms of disturbed perception, thought content, mood or behaviour that frequently occur in patients with dementia. BPSD can cause tremendous distress both for the patients and for their caregivers and they have been seen as the most stressful aspect of care giving. Two registered nurses, 16 assistant nurses and two nursing assistants in Sweden talked about their job satisfaction when caring for residents suffering from dementia and BPSD. Thematic content analysis was conducted. The nurses' narrations indicate exposure, insufficiency, not being valued and doubt, as well as respect and importance and devotion towards the residents. One core theme was formulated: "Job satisfaction as a process moving between breaking down and occasionally building up the working person". A positive relationship with colleagues was the primary reason for nurses continuing to work at the group dwellings. The organization and resident behaviours were seen as very negative. Some nurses described insecurity in terms of how long they could continue to take rudeness, being spat at, being scratched or physically hit by residents, without "hitting back". In order to increase the well-being of the nurses, the pressure on them needs to be relieved. The development of leadership, education, supervision and reflection might be one possible way of reducing the prevalence of BPSD-related violence, enhancing job satisfaction and handling moral stress