The lived experience of workplace reciprocity of emergency nurses in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.: A descriptive phenomenological study

Emergency nurses work under sometimes uncertain conditions to provide care to patients with all kinds of illnesses and afflictions from all segments of the population. Despite implications that they must work together to provide efficient and effective patient care, few studies explore reciprocal workplace relationships of emergency nurses. This research sought to illuminate the lived experience of workplace reciprocity of emergency nurses. Using a phenomenological approach with snowball sampling technique, unstructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with emergency nurses in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The original study was conducted in 2013 (n = 9) and a replication study in 2018 (n = 7). Data were collected and analyzed using Giorgi’s Phenomenological Method. Results from each study were evaluated for thematic congruence. Six themes of workplace reciprocity of emergency nurses were identified for both studies: emergency department (ED) culture, balancing, technology, caring, bridging, and connection. An additional theme, bonding, was identified with the replication study. Exploring workplace reciprocity of emergency nurses provided insight the influences on workplace relationships. Establishing and nurturing workplace reciprocity may create a culture of safety, connection, enhance work engagement, and influence nurse recruitment and retention.