The experience of presenteeism: Acute care nurses working in Northern Health.

This study involved a phenomenological research design whereby participants described their experiences of attending work when they should have stayed home, a phenomenon referred to as presenteeism. The study also explored possible contexts, situations, and/or factors influencing this experience. Data was gathered using face to face open-ended standardized interviews with 10 participants who had experienced presenteeism. Qualitative analysis resulted in 10 themes. Acute care nurses working in Northern Health attended work when they felt they should have stayed home. The experience was felt physically and mentally, thereby creating a distraction in the provision of safe and adequate patient care. Both internal and external factors were noted, all and/or some of which influenced the decision of whether or not nurses attended work. Furthermore, all factors were interrelated, adding to the dilemma of making a sound decision that was in the best interest of the nurse, the patient, and the workplace environment. --P. ii.