SynthesisJournal of nursing management2026
Clinical Work Experiences of Nurses Returning to Work Postpartum: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.
Synthesis in Journal of nursing management, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Clinical Work Experiences of Nurses Returning to Work Postpartum: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Journal of nursing management · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe global nursing shortage underscores the critical need to retain experienced clinicians. The postpartum return to clinical practice represents a vulnerable transition period that can significantly impact nurse retention, yet the nuanced lived experiences of nurses during this reintegration are not well synthesized.
aimTo systematically review and synthesize qualitative evidence on the clinical work experiences of nurses returning to work after childbirth.
designA systematic review and meta-synthesis.
methodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Weipu Database and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) to identify qualitative studies published between December 1990 and December 2025 that focused on the clinical work experiences of nurses returning to work postpartum. This systematic review follows the meta-synthesis method guided by ENTREQ and PRISMA and uses the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) to assess the quality of included studies. Qualitative findings from the primary studies were integrated and analyzed using thematic synthesis.
resultsA total of 19 studies were included, with 76 main findings extracted, summarized into 9 subthemes, and organized into 3 main themes: The Multi-Faceted Challenges of Reintegrating into Professional Practice, Enduring Multidimensional Physical and Psychological Strain, and Relying on a Multilayered Support Ecosystem for Successful Transition.
conclusionThe return to clinical work postpartum is a period of multidimensional strain and identity negotiation. Retention is contingent upon a coherent support ecosystem. Moving beyond broad work-family conflict narratives, this review offers a targeted evidence base supporting essential structural enablers-such as flexible work policies, protected lactation facilities, and tailored reintegration pathways-alongside culturally competent interpersonal support, to promote sustainable reintegration and preserve an experienced nursing workforce. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers should proactively establish supportive structural policies, including flexible scheduling and dedicated lactation facilities, to support the successful reintegration of postpartum nurses. Developing tailored return-to-work orientation pathways and fostering a supportive, empathetic ward culture are critical managerial strategies to mitigate transition-related stress, enhance job satisfaction, and retain experienced clinical staff amidst the global nursing shortage.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.