Lived Experiences of Never-Married Aging Nurses in Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Study

The global nursing workforce is aging, yet limited research has explored the lived experiences of never married nurses entering midlife and later adulthood. Existing studies have primarily focused on burnout and retention, with less attention to the social and existential dimensions of aging without a spouse or children. This study aimed to explore the experiences of never married clinical nurses aged 40 years and older, focusing on perceptions of aging, professional identity, social support, and future security. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Twenty-five never married nurses aged 44-62 years were recruited through purposive sampling from intensive care, emergency, medical, surgical, oncology, outpatient, and community departments across four government hospitals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through member checking, peer debriefing, and maintenance of an audit trail. Four themes were identified: Nursing as a Life Anchor, where professional identity provided meaning and structure; Independence Coexisting with Loneliness, reflecting autonomy alongside episodic loneliness; The Invisible but Available Workforce, describing expectations of greater work availability due to single status; and Anticipating an Uncertain Future, capturing concerns about retirement, declining health, and limited advocacy in later life. Never married aging nurses experience a complex balance of professional fulfillment, autonomy, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Healthcare organizations should recognize this subgroup and consider equitable workload policies, tailored retirement planning, and psychosocial support to promote well-being and workforce sustainability.