Abstract
Given the criticism of the conditions in nursing homes that the media have brought to our attention, it is important to expose the positive aspects of this part of the health sector. This paper is based on an investigation carried out in the spring of 2001 for the purpose of gathering information on registered nurses' experience and their ideas regarding their work in nursing homes and recruitment of personnel. The method selected was qualitative research interview with a focus group. The interviews took place in Bergen at four different nursing homes of varying size. Four groups with a total of 17 registered nurses participated in the study. The results from the study show that most of the registered nurses have a very positive attitude to their work. The informants described their work as exciting, varied and rewarding, due to the long term relations with the patients and the variety of ailments encountered.
The attitude of the informants demonstrates that the problem is not the type of work in nursing homes but that the work conditions are not designed to maintain the health and enthusiasm of the profession, and an inadequate care of the patients.