Graduate nurse program coordinators’ perceptions of role adaptation experienced by new nursing graduates: A descriptive qualitative approach

Abstract

Aims: This research explores the challenges that new nursing graduates experience whilst adapting to their new role in their first year of practice. These challenges are presented from the perspectives of Graduate Nurse Program Coordinators in the state of Victoria, Australia, previously not described in the literature.Background: Each year, thousands of new nursing graduates join the workforce in Australia, with many suffering major stressors and dissatisfaction in their first year of practice. Much has been written about challenges faced by this group from their own perspectives, yet nothing has been heard from the perspectives of those who support them; that is, the coordinators of year-long graduate nurse transition programs.Methods: This descriptive qualitative study used individual, semi-structured interviews to access information and perceptions from sixteen Graduate Nurse Program Coordinators about the challenges experienced by nursing graduates in their first year of practice. Transcripts were thematically analysed to reveal reoccurring themes and sub-themes. Results:The interviews provided an insight into various challenges that nursing graduates experience in relation to role adaptation in their first year of practice. Nursing graduates found difficulties with reality shock, work-life balancing and having unrealistic assumptions in their capacity to work, assuming they should be at a higher level despite being a beginner practitioner. Conclusions:This study reinforces the need for education providers to maintain currency in their undergraduate nursing programs and to work closely with health care services in providing a quality clinical experience to all nursing students. It also provides evidence that graduate transition programs are essential, with Graduate Nurse Program Coordinators performing a crucial role in providing appropriately planned strategies to support graduates through this vulnerable time.

Newly qualified nurses' perceptions of working at mental health facilities: A qualitative study

“…Mental health nurses described the initial 3–4 months of transitioning as the most difficult because nursing education did not prepare them for the realities of practice (Ekström & Idvall, ). When student nurses are not fully exposed to the world of nursing during their training, they may experience reality shock and dissatisfaction as independent practitioners (Missen, McKenna, & Beauchamp, ). Different models are proposed to fill this gap in nursing education and better prepare mental health nurses for clinical practice.…”

Coping strategies and social support needs of experienced and inexperienced nurses performing shiftwork

“…For this group, there may be a tendency to see their work environment through “rose coloured glasses” or from an over positively point of view (Lacey, Teasley, & Cox,). Similarly, these nurses may have during their tertiary nursing studies received advice and training which provided them with appropriate information to allow them to have realistic expectations of a nurses' working life (Missen, McKenna, & Beauchamp, ). This suggestion is contrary to a larger quantitative nursing study which recommended better preparation of graduate nurses to counter the many effects of shift work (West et al., ).…”

“…Conversely, inexperienced nurses, who were mostly employed in graduate nursing programmes, spoke of high levels of support from senior nurses and management. This included clinical facilitators who provide “on the job” training and form part of the graduate nursing programme aiding graduate nurses' transition during their first year of practice (Missen et al., ). In the early stages of employment this, often described, increase in managerial and social support directed towards new recruits has been found to delay some stress associated with work (Lammers‐Van der Holst & Kerkhof, ).…”

Fostering graduate nurse practice readiness in context

“…As a result, graduates do not move seamlessly into clinical practice as registered nurses. Instead, they experience difficult transitions to practice, high levels of job dissatisfaction and early burnout, leading to the choice to leave nursing early in their careers (D'Ambra & Andrews, 2014;Hegney et al, 2013;Milton-Wildey et al, 2014;Missen, McKenna, & Beauchamp, 2014a;Walker & Campbell, 2013). The loss of graduates at a time when workforce demand and shortages are at their highest could lead to greater burden and adverse consequences for healthcare services now and in the future (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2012;Health Workforce Australia, 2012aMills et al, 2017).…”