Occupational status, recognizing the impact of being recognized - a qualitative assessment, exploring occupational status determinants for prime working age groups of licensed practical nurses in the Swedish home-care business

Abstract: This thesis presents and analyses the results of the prime working age (25-65), divided into two diverse groups, 25-45 and 45-65, of licensed practical nurses (LPN) perceived occupational status in the Swedish home-care business. The purpose is to understand what influences the perception of two diverse age groups of licensed practical nurses occupational status, bringing nuance to the phenomenon, thus understanding demands for future employment, shortage of labour and staff turnover in the Swedish home-care business. In being able to develop an understanding of the phenomenon of occupational status, Bourdieu's field theory, Axel Honneth’s recognition theory and the concept of symbolic violence has been used as a theoretical framework. Data-collection consists of 12 semi-structured interviews, distributed equally on the two age groups, six interviews conducted on LPN between the ages of 25-45 and six interviews conducted on LPN between the ages of 45-65. Coding and analysis of the empirical data adapts an interpretivist approach. Chapter one serves as an introductory chapter, providing background for the thesis, followed by; previous research accounting for the current field of research, methods, theoretical concepts and lastly conclusions and discussions. No evidence was found, supporting that seniority affected the informant’s perception of occupational status. Determinants of occupational status consist of; salary, education, workplace and work-related duties. The empirical data supports that recognition affects the informant’s perception of occupational status. The concept of symbolic violence manifested itself mainly in the relationship between LPN and the healthcare assistants (HCA).