Nursing leaders and their facilitation of work tasks to retain nurses in nursing homes

Background: Retention of nurses in their positions is a complex issue. Aim: This study aimed to explore the ways in which nursing leaders facilitate work tasks for nurses that correspond to their qualifications and thus help retain nurses in nursing homes. Method: The research design was qualitative. The participants included eight female nursing leaders between 40 and 60 years employed in nursing homes in various municipalities. The data were collected through individual interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Two themes were formulated: taking nurses’ qualifications into account and safeguarding nurses. Conclusion: The study concluded that nursing leaders play a key role in facilitating work tasks for nurses. They assist nurses in using their qualifications and empower nurses to take the lead in and assume control over work tasks that correspond to their qualifications. Nurses may nonetheless feel overqualified or underqualified to perform their assigned tasks in nursing homes.