Abstract
Midlife represents a significant transition for women characterized by the onset of menopause, shifting family dynamics, and evolving professional roles that affect physical and emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life (QoL). This study examines how women in midlife navigate career considerations and future aspirations, emphasizing the interplay of achievement, transition, and reorientation. Drawing on qualitative interviews with cisgender women aged 39–57, the analysis identified four central themes: (1) established success and aspirations for growth, (2) redirection and pursuit of new opportunities, (3) reevaluation of work and identity, and (4) future planning and sustainability. For some, midlife represented the culmination of professional accomplishments and the pursuit of further advancement, while others shifted toward creative projects, entrepreneurship, or scaling back to prioritize personal fulfillment and caregiving responsibilities. Across narratives, participants highlighted the importance of flexibility, balance, and long-term preparation as they considered the next stage of life. These findings challenge deficit-oriented views of midlife by framing it as a dynamic period of reflection and adaptation, where women exercise agency in redefining career trajectories and aligning work with evolving values.
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Iota Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Career Development, Narratives, Employment of Older Women, Midlife Nursing Goals
Recommended Citation
Ness, Michelle M., "From Achievement to Adaptation: Women’s Career Narratives Across the Midlife Transition" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 75.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2026/presentations_2026/75
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
2026-05-03
From Achievement to Adaptation: Women’s Career Narratives Across the Midlife Transition
Washington, DC, USA
Midlife represents a significant transition for women characterized by the onset of menopause, shifting family dynamics, and evolving professional roles that affect physical and emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life (QoL). This study examines how women in midlife navigate career considerations and future aspirations, emphasizing the interplay of achievement, transition, and reorientation. Drawing on qualitative interviews with cisgender women aged 39–57, the analysis identified four central themes: (1) established success and aspirations for growth, (2) redirection and pursuit of new opportunities, (3) reevaluation of work and identity, and (4) future planning and sustainability. For some, midlife represented the culmination of professional accomplishments and the pursuit of further advancement, while others shifted toward creative projects, entrepreneurship, or scaling back to prioritize personal fulfillment and caregiving responsibilities. Across narratives, participants highlighted the importance of flexibility, balance, and long-term preparation as they considered the next stage of life. These findings challenge deficit-oriented views of midlife by framing it as a dynamic period of reflection and adaptation, where women exercise agency in redefining career trajectories and aligning work with evolving values.
Description
This study explores women’s career experiences in midlife through interviews with 27 participants aged 39–57. Four themes emerged: (1) established success and aspirations for growth, (2) redirection and new opportunities, (3) reevaluation of work and identity, and (4) future planning and sustainability. Findings highlight midlife as a dynamic stage of reflection and adaptation, where women balance achievement, personal fulfillment, and long-term goals.