Role transition from student nurse to staff nurse: facilitating the transition period

Undergraduate nursing programmes are designed to equip student nurses with the skills and knowledge necessary for their future work as professional nurses. Influences on the role during the transition period from student to staff nurse are unclear.

This paper explores the experience of role transition for newly-qualified nurses from an Irish perspective.

A Heideggerian Hermeneutic approach was the research method adopted. Ten newly qualified nurses from one of Dublin's Academic Teaching Hospitals were interviewed. Data were analysed using Van Manen's thematic analysis. Influences on the transition period were explored in the context of Chick and Meleis's Transition Concept.

Newly-qualified nurses initially felt excited upon qualification. However, professional responsibility and accountability associated with the new role were overwhelming for participants. They felt frustrated when they didn't receive adequate support during transition.

Newly-qualified nurses need support while they incorporate their knowledge into clinical practice. Hidden influences should as education levels and scope of practice should be considered before nurse educators begin to develop education programmes for undergraduate nurses.