Att lämna arbetet i förtid : en studie av tidigt pensionerade undersköterskor

This paper examines factors that influence assistant nurses’ decision to early retirement. In view of the demographic change that Sweden is facing, where individuals are expected to be able to work later in life, assistant nurses that more often than other work groups retire early is studied. Nursing assistants are in addition a low-wage profession, a deficit profession, and the future need for nursing assistants will increase. It is therefore relevant to investigate the factors that influence them to retire early to increase the understanding and knowledge of their choice of an earlier exit. The paper is based on a qualitative method with semi-structured interviews with six assistant nurses who chose an early retirement. The analysis is based on work identity theory, disengagement theory, Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and Max Weber’s theory of social actions. The results show that a weakly perceived work identity in combination with a strong desire to withdraw from working life are the central influencing factors. The prevailing norms and culture within the profession also influences nursing assistants in their decision to take early retirement. The study highlights how assistant nurses and their important role in society need to be further understood, since they leave because they desire to leave, to meet the future needs of assistant nurses. Further studies could also include studies of the younger nursing assistants' view on the future and retirement since they are a part of the norms and culture within the profession.