Exploring Work Experience, Job Satisfaction, Motivation and Intention to Stay Among Gig and Locum Nurses: A Mixed Methods Study

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Abstract
Aim: To examine temporary registered nurses' job satisfaction, motivation, intent to stay and work experiences of gig or locum nursing roles.Design: A two‐phase mixed methods study.Methods: Participants were temporary registered nurses who engaged in gig or locum roles. In Phase I, a cross‐sectional quantitative study was carried out to examine temporary nurses' job satisfaction, motivation and intent‐to‐stay. In Phase II, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted to provide a more nuanced understanding of the factors that influenced temporary nurses' work experiences. The participants took part in a one‐time, individual, semi‐structured audio‐ and video‐recorded interview via Zoom. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analyses.Results: A total of 111 temporary nurses were included in this study. The temporary nurses scored higher for the subscale on intrinsic job satisfaction than on extrinsic job satisfaction, with the lowest item score for career advancement. They scored highest for extrinsic motivation, with the highest item score on compensation. They also reported low intention to stay in their current roles. A purposive sampling of 20 nurses participated in the interviews. Four themes emerged from the qualitative findings on their work experience: flexible schedule for work‐life balance, attractive yet unstable compensation, job autonomy and impeding clinical and professional growth.Conclusion: Temporary nurses are attracted to gig or locum nursing work due to compensation, work flexibility and job autonomy. Further research to examine the perspectives of patients, permanent staff and nursing managers is needed to provide more insights for healthcare policymakers and administrators.Impact: Healthcare organisation could consider incorporating flexible work schedule and job rotation to make permanent staffing models more attractive for them. The digital platform could be adopted to promote long‐term engagement in specific work setting and foster career development, ensuring the safe practice of temporary nurses.Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.

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