The emotional labour of nursing 1: exploring the concept

Nurs Times. 2009 Mar;105(8):26-9.

Abstract

This is the first in a two-part series on emotional labour, a trained and individualised response to help manage the emotions of patients. It reviews relevant literature to define and explore this concept in nursing, and considers examples of emotional labour and makes recommendations for future policy and research. Part 2 of this research, to be published in next week's issue, examines routine aspects of emotional labour in nursing and the barriers to recognising this aspect of work.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Burnout, Professional / etiology
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Emotions*
  • Empathy
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Models, Nursing
  • Models, Psychological
  • Nurse's Role / psychology*
  • Nurse-Patient Relations*
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Nursing Staff / organization & administration
  • Nursing Staff / psychology
  • Occupational Health
  • Social Support
  • Terminal Care / psychology
  • Workload / psychology*