The Lived Experience of Registered Nurses in a Transitional Duty Program

Abstract

Background:

Registered nurses (RNs), the largest group of healthcare professionals, experience high rates of work-related injury leading to work absence. Transitional duty (TD) refers to structured programs designed to facilitate a safe and timely return to work by preserving and rebuilding employees’ functional capacity through temporary, modified job assignment. This study examines RNs’ lived experiences in a TD program to gain insight into its impact on six key dimensions of wellness.

Methods:

This qualitative, interpretive phenomenological study, explored the lived experiences of RNs’ participating in a TD program following a work-related or personal injury. Semi-structured, in-person interviews were conducted with RNs from a large healthcare organization in Hawaii. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis informed by the Six Dimensions of Wellness model. Trustworthiness was enhanced through independent coding, peer debriefing, and consensus discussions between researchers. This study was reported in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.

Findings:

Eleven RNs participated in the study. They described how the TD program supported their recovery and reintegration by addressing occupational, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional needs, enabling professional engagement, personal fulfillment, and overall wellness through flexible, structured, and purposeful workplace support.

Conclusion:

The findings from this study suggest that TD programs play a crucial role in facilitating RNs’ return to work after medical absence.

Application to Practice:

The TD program effectively supported injured RNs in returning to their full-time roles, offering a structured approach that promoted recovery, professional engagement, and overall wellness.

Keywords

nurses transitional duty return-to-work programs light duty modified duty

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