Purpose: This study investigated the transition to retirement, the motivation to work, and experiences of working in bridge employment in a group of retired nursing assistants.

Design/Methodology/Approach/Intervention: The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used to analyze data from semi-structured interviews with seven retired nursing assistants working at a Swedish hospital.

Results: This presentation focuses on “The meaning of work and retirement”, one of four superordinate themes identified in the participants’ accounts. Full retirement was regarded as “the end of the road”, leading to stagnation in life. In contrast, work was perceived as a booster of physical and mental health. By fulfilling important psychosocial needs (such as providing a sense of purpose and belonging, identity, social contact and nurturing, time structure, a source of activity), bridge employment allowed for a gradual adjustment to retirement, which in turn contributed to well-being.

Limitations: The study is based on a small sample in a specific context, which limits the generalization of the results. However, this homogeneity of the sample allowed for a detailed account of the subjective experiences of a particular group of individuals. Yet, further studies in different occupational groups and organizations are needed.

Research/Practical Implications: This study contributes to a further understanding of issues involved in the adjustment to retirement and what it is that motivates people to continue working as nursing assistants, an important occupation within the healthcare sector.

Originality/Value: This research meets the call for more qualitative research on the meaning of working and retirement specifically for bridge employees.