Paid Parental Leave as a Boundary-Management Strategy for Nursing Workforce Sustainability
Keywords
parental leave, parenting, work life balance, role conflict, role enrichment, role strain, work family conflict, nurse-mother, nurse-father, nurse-parent, dual role caregiver, unpaid caregiving, invisible labor, role theory, organizational theory, ethics of care
Abstract
Aim(s)
To demonstrate, through an integrative theoretical synthesis, how fully paid parental leave functions as a boundary-management strategy that enhances nurse well-being and retention; thereby supporting sustainable workforce capacity.
Design
Discursive paper.
Methods
Directed literature synthesis (2010–2025) across nursing, organisational psychology, labour economics and health-policy databases; thematic mapping of findings to organisational support theory, ethics-of-care theory and role theory; cross-case comparison of four national leave frameworks.
Results
Paid, discretionary leave raises perceived organisational support and predicts lower turnover intention. Leave is framed as moral reciprocity and restores both relational energy and capacity for job satisfaction. Extended, clearly sign-posted leave reduces time- and strain-based work–family conflict, enabling role enrichment on return. Implementation rests on four structural interventions: leadership endorsement, streamlined processes, guaranteed staffing back-fill and phased return-to-work options.
Conclusion
Paid parental leave is a strategic, theory-grounded intervention that safeguards nurses' dual identities, amplifies organisational commitment and ultimately fortifies patient care quality.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care
Embedding usable, fully paid leave normalises caregiving, reduces burnout triggers and stabilises staffing to promote nurse retention, continuity of care and positive patient outcomes.
Original Publication Citation
Watson, A. L. (2025). Parenting Without Penalty: Paid Parental Leave as a Boundary-Management Strategy for Nursing Workforce Sustainability. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 0(0), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.70158
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Watson, Adrianna Lorraine PhD, RN, CCRN, TCRN, "Paid Parental Leave as a Boundary-Management Strategy for Nursing Workforce Sustainability" (2025). Faculty Publications. 7747.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/7747
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2025-09-01
Publisher
Journal of Advanced Nursing; Wiley
Language
English
College
Nursing
Copyright Status
Wiley
Copyright Use Information
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