Linda Horne Mæland

Aim This study aims to describe and interpret what it is school nurses strive to achieve for themselves in order to remain in practice. Design A qualitative study with a hermeneutic approach. Method The data were collected by means of in‐depth interviews with 15 Norwegian school nurses on two separate occasions and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic method. Results The analysis resulted in the following themes: (1) trusting your own professional ability, (2) aspiring to appreciation and (3) accomplishing self‐care. These themes were reflected in the school nurses' choices and actions and were regarded as an expression of what was of value to them as a nurse. Thus, the nurses' realizing what they strived to achieve for themselves can comprehensively be understood as a good of higher value for their remaining in nursing practice.