Motivation to Care: A Qualitative Study on Iranian Nurses

BACKGROUND: The performance of nurses, which is rooted in personal motivation, determines the quality of care. Therefore, it is important that nurses are motivated to provide high-quality care. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that affect caring motivation from the perspectives of nurses in Iran. METHODS: This was a qualitative study. Seventeen nurses were interviewed using a semistructured, in-depth interview method. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the identification of the two themes of (a) self-valuation and (b) providing beneficial care. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study increase scholarly understanding of the caring motivations of nurses. These motivations may be used in related programs by senior nursing managers to improve the quality of nursing care.