Qualitative Study of Psychiatric Nurses' Experience of Work Alienation

Work alienation is a significant contributing factor to turnover behaviour among nurses. Psychiatric nurses, in particular, face considerable stigmatization, underscoring the need for greater attention to their mental health. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of work alienation among psychiatric nurses and to offer insights and references for alleviating their sense of alienation, promoting workforce stability, and informing the development of targeted intervention programs. A phenomenological research approach was employed to select 14 nursing staff members from a tertiary A-level psychiatric hospital in Shandong Province, using purposive sampling between July and October 2024. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to organize the data and refine the themes. A total of four overarching themes and nine sub-themes were identified: physical and psychological symptoms (psychological symptoms, physical symptoms), coping styles (self-concealment, support-seeking), cumulative impacts (burnout, self-growth), and support needs (individual support, organizational support, social support). The phenomenon of work alienation among psychiatric nurses is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires focused attention from both nursing professionals and healthcare administrators. Early identification of work alienation trends is crucial, along with the implementation of targeted interventions aimed at safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of psychiatric nurses.