Other Titles
Comparing Nurse Well-Being Across the Career Trajectory [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Nurses face persistent challenges in maintain well-being (Lönnqvist et al., 2025; Priano et al., 2018), which may contribute to the nurse staffing crisis. This analysis examines differences in well-being among nurses in different stages of their career trajectory.
Methods: Data from the HealthyNurse survey collected June 2024-May 2025 were examined (n=5006). Outcomes included fatigue, anxiety, depression, social ability, and physical functioning, measured using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System short form scales. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA, minutes/week), days of strength training per week, the Healthy Eating Index, and BMI were also measured and used as outcomes. Career trajectory stage was categorized as student nurses, years of experience (<2, 3-10 years, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, >40), and former nurse (retired, unemployed, or in another field). Linear and Poisson regression models examined differences, in outcomes by career stage while controlling for age, sex, and race.
Results: Compared to students, nurses with <20 years of experience had lower physical functioning (<2: beta= -0.84, 95% CI: -1.54, -0.13; 3-10: beta=-1.16, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.44; 11-20: beta=-1.20, 95% CI: -2.03, 0.37), lower rates of MVPA (<2: IRR= 0.71, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.817; 3-10: IRR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.94; 11-20: IRR=-0.75, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.88) and higher levels of fatigue (<2: beta= 2.56, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.57; 3-10: beta=2.65, 95% CI: 1.61, 3.69; 11-20: beta=1.81, 95% CI: 0.61, 3.00). Compared to former nurses, those working 21-30 years (beta=1.39, 95%CI: 0.01, 2.77) and 31-40 years (beta=1.56, 95%CI: 0.11, 3.01) had greater physical functioning, and those with 31-40 years (beta=-2.45, 95%CI: -4.40, -0.50) and >40 years (beta=-2.42, 95%CI: -4.63, -0.22) had lower depression.
Conclusion: Early and mid-career nurses demonstrated lower well-being outcomes compared to student nurses; however, these nurses had similar outcomes to former nurses. Findings underscore how the first years of employment represent a critical time for nurse well-being, and may play a role in keeping newer nurses in the workforce. Longitudinal research, novel strategies, and system-level solutions to sustain well-being over time are needed to support nurse retention.
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Workforce, Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, Career Trajectory, Career Span
Recommended Citation
Cuccia, Alison F., "Comparing Nurse Well-Being Across the Career Trajectory: An Analysis of the HealthyNurse Survey" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 56.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2026/presentations_2026/56
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-04-29
Comparing Nurse Well-Being Across the Career Trajectory: An Analysis of the HealthyNurse Survey
Washington, DC, USA
Background: Nurses face persistent challenges in maintain well-being (Lönnqvist et al., 2025; Priano et al., 2018), which may contribute to the nurse staffing crisis. This analysis examines differences in well-being among nurses in different stages of their career trajectory.
Methods: Data from the HealthyNurse survey collected June 2024-May 2025 were examined (n=5006). Outcomes included fatigue, anxiety, depression, social ability, and physical functioning, measured using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System short form scales. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA, minutes/week), days of strength training per week, the Healthy Eating Index, and BMI were also measured and used as outcomes. Career trajectory stage was categorized as student nurses, years of experience (<2, 3-10 years, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, >40), and former nurse (retired, unemployed, or in another field). Linear and Poisson regression models examined differences, in outcomes by career stage while controlling for age, sex, and race.
Results: Compared to students, nurses with <20 years of experience had lower physical functioning>(<2: beta=>-0.84, 95% CI: -1.54, -0.13; 3-10: beta=-1.16, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.44; 11-20: beta=-1.20, 95% CI: -2.03, 0.37), lower rates of MVPA (<2: IRR=>0.71, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.817; 3-10: IRR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.94; 11-20: IRR=-0.75, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.88) and higher levels of fatigue (<2: beta=>2.56, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.57; 3-10: beta=2.65, 95% CI: 1.61, 3.69; 11-20: beta=1.81, 95% CI: 0.61, 3.00). Compared to former nurses, those working 21-30 years (beta=1.39, 95%CI: 0.01, 2.77) and 31-40 years (beta=1.56, 95%CI: 0.11, 3.01) had greater physical functioning, and those with 31-40 years (beta=-2.45, 95%CI: -4.40, -0.50) and >40 years (beta=-2.42, 95%CI: -4.63, -0.22) had lower depression.
Conclusion: Early and mid-career nurses demonstrated lower well-being outcomes compared to student nurses; however, these nurses had similar outcomes to former nurses. Findings underscore how the first years of employment represent a critical time for nurse well-being, and may play a role in keeping newer nurses in the workforce. Longitudinal research, novel strategies, and system-level solutions to sustain well-being over time are needed to support nurse retention.
Description
Early and mid-career nurses report more fatigue, less physical activity, and poorer physical functioning compared to student nurses; meanwhile, more experienced nurses show better outcomes than former nurses. Findings highlight the need for targeted support during early career stages to improve retention and long-term well-being.