A Comparative Study of Newly Licensed Registered Nurses' Stressors: 2003 and 2015

Newly licensed nurses are overwhelmed and feel stressed as they transition from student to professional nurse. Health educators are making strides in improving the work environment, yet these nurses continue to feel stressed. Little has been done to track stress-ors to see whether they have changed over time.

A descriptive qualitative research method was used to identify the stressors of newly licensed nurses. The first focus group interviews were conducted in 2003 with 21 nurses. In 2015, the study was replicated using another group of 22 recently graduated nurses.

There were fewer stressors noted in the 2015 group compared with the 2003 group. Six major stress-ors were identified in the 2003 group, and only three of these were noted in the 2015 group.

The decline in work-related stressors could be attributed to changes in health care organizations and in state policies. Nurse educators and leaders should refine orientation and educational programs based on ongoing changes in stressors expressed by newly licensed nurses. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(3):132-140.