Challenges of fresh nursing graduates during their transition period

Abstract

Objective: The shortage of nurses is an overwhelming problem worldwide. Numerous studies indicate that fresh nursing graduates encounter many challenges in their first year after graduation. These difficulties affect their psychological health and influence their perseverance which results in a high resignation rate. Hong Kong is not an exceptional case; therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the challenges encountered by fresh nursing graduates during the transition period in order to provide insights to academics and clinical administrators in order to facilitate the transition and alleviate the negative impacts, thus increasing the retention rate. Methods: This was a qualitative study and eight new nursing graduates (M = 4; F = 4) from the same local higher education institute were interviewed individually. Thematic coding was used to analyse the data. Results: Finally, nine themes were identified including eight areas of challenges and one common attribute. Workload, lack of knowledge, communication, expectation, change of role, working atmosphere, support and a blame/complaint culture are the common areas of challenges that they encounter in the transitional period. Furthermore, this study also found that new nursing graduates possess a common attribute, i.e. positive personal attitude which seems able to enhance their perseverance in this period. Conclusions: The identified themes are interrelated and all the stakeholders should join together and form a cycle of continuous improvement in order to improve the nursing programme and clinical supports to the fresh nursing graduates.

Transition experiences of newly graduated Filipino nurses in a resource‐scarce rural health care setting: A qualitative study

“…This is not surprising considering the current situation in most rural areas in the Philippines, where most of the government hospitals are located; these hospitals are lacking in terms of structured hospital policies, ward processes, and programs to support the transition and professional growth of new nurses . This finding is additionally similar to those of international studies highlighting organizational support as being inadequately provided to new nurses during this critical period …”

Perceived Competence and Transition Experience of New Graduate Filipino Nurses

“…Transition shock, feeling pressured, learning excitement, and needing support were also the emerging themes in the transition experiences reported in a qualitative study among new graduate Filipino nurses (Labrague, McEnroe-Pettite, & Leocadio, 2019). Other studies conducted in other countries among new graduate nurses in the United States (Fink, Krugman, Casey, & Goode, 2008); New Zealand (Walton et al, 2018), Australia (Kelly & Ahern, 2009;Ankers, Barton, & Parry, 2018), Hongkong (Wong et al, 2018), and Oman (Al Awaisi, Cooke, & Pryjmachuk, 2015) reported similar themes about transition difficulties and positive experiences in the first year of practice. Hussein et al (2017) cited that new graduate nurses experience stress in the first year of practice as they strive to "fit in" and apply newly acquired skills.…”

Use of Simulation in Teaching Nursing Leadership and Management Course

“…Available studies have identified the relevance of collaborative health practice, which is characterized by constant interaction, communication, collaboration, and engagement among inter-professional healthcare workers along with patients and their families in attaining quality healthcare, positive patient outcomes, and ultimately, reduce costs of healthcare and improve organizational productivity 43,44 . Despite higher emphasis on the importance of effective communication and collaboration during the undergraduate program, many new nurses expressed challenges in effectively communicating, collaborating, and working with other healthcare teams, with patients, and their relatives 45,46 . This review finding is a support to international studies highlighting the essential role of simulation in enhancing collaboration, communication, and teamwork among healthcare workers from different professions 25,47 .…”

“…According to Standing 49 , decision making skills, a central aspect of quality nursing care, can be developed during the undergraduate period to equip future nurses with the realities and challenges that they will encounter when they assume the professional nursing role. However, many new nurses reported lacking in these essential skills and complained that their undergraduate education had not placed a high enough emphasis on this area of development 46 .…”