Identifying the experiences of new graduate nurses during the transition period to practice as a professional nurse

Abstract

Transition from theoretical knowledge to real-life practice is often challenging, emotionally exhausting and stressful for nurses in acute settings, to deliver safe nursing care in an environment of increased accountability, responsibility of patient care and heavy workloads.These circumstances are common across various regions, as for instance; Solutions (2016) indicated that increasing rate of turnover has been observed with the approximate value of 18.2% in the hospitals located in north-east, which not only impacts the quality of care but also adds to the hospital expense (Blegen, Spector, Lynn, Barnsteiner, & Ulrich, 2017). This gives rise to the need of developing strategies that may minimise the turnover rate of new graduate nurses.

Transitional Challenges and Role of Preceptor among New Nursing Graduates

“…The findings are in line with the reports by Salem Alghamdi & Ghazi Baker and Sajadi Hezaveh et al, whose mean age of the participants was 24 and 27.84 years respectively. 14 , 37 The participants were mostly females 240 (85%) in study by Parker et al 38 More than half of the participants 205 (65.3%) were working in the specialty care units/wards, and 231 (73.6%) of the participants had less than 1 year of experience, which was consistent with the reports by Sajadi Hezaveh et al (6.76±4 months), and Casey et al (<1 year). 37 , 39 Though majority participants 278 (88.5%) in the present study had at least one preceptor during their orientation which was a bit higher against the study by Parker et al among 144 (63%) new graduate nurses.…”

“… 38 Most participants 169 (53.8%) had unit orientation duration to less than or equal to four weeks, and the same has been reported in study by Parker et al 38 The roles expected to be performed were the most reported difficulty among the participants 220(70%) in their transition period and similar findings have been reported by Salem Alghamdi and Ghazi Baker. 14 The difficulties felt in the various professional tasks could detrimentally affect the quality of care provided by the new nursing graduates. 40 In the present study, skills that the new nursing graduates were uncomfortable performing independently were ventilator care/management 161 (51.30%), chest tube care 142 (45.20%), central line care 109 (34.7%), code/emergency responses 104 (33.10%), and tracheostomy care 88 (28%).…”

“… 58 However, the study by Salem Alghamdi and Ghazi Baker reported a positive relationship between preceptor support and communication/leadership, professional satisfaction, and job satisfaction; but a statistically insignificant negative relationship was found between preceptor support and organizing and prioritizing. 14 Providing emotional support to the new nursing graduates can help them tackle their uneasiness with diverse procedures, as it provides them with ample time in developing their critical thinking in a safe environment. 59 …”

“…The period of transition from theory to practice is the most demanding, emotionally draining, and nerve-racking experience for new nursing graduates who are expected to provide cautious nursing care in an environment of heightened liability. 14 New nursing graduates ordinarily report their initial clinical experiences as arduous, whilst they attempt to habituate and provide standard patient care. 15 , 16 Early negative clinical experiences could be attributed to incompetent clinical preceptors, poor communication skills, disharmony among health professionals, and an ill-suited working environment.…”

The best of both worlds – entering the nursing profession with support of a transition programme

“…Nursing skills develop over time, and upon transition, NGNs can demonstrate rudimentary skills but require support to prioritise patients' needs [6]. During this period, NGNs often experience attrition [7,8] due to insubstantial support [9] and conflicting expectations of nursing practice compared to the actuality of the role [7]. During this stressful period, insufficient self-assurance can hamper NGNs' potential to cope efficiently [10].…”