New Graduate Nurse Transition Into the Intensive Care Unit: Qualitative Insights From a Longitudinal Study-Part 1.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Critical Care Nursing
• Professional Transition

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) admit critically ill patients requiring specialized nursing knowledge and skills.
• New graduate nurses (NGNs) are increasingly hired into ICUs despite higher turnover risks.
• The complex ICU environment may exacerbate turnover risk for NGNs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the transition experiences of NGNs in ICU settings.
• To identify challenges and support needs for NGNs during their transition.
• To understand how NGNs develop over a two-year period in the ICU.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods design was employed.
• Purposive and convenience sampling of NGNs.
• Qualitative data collection through face-to-face interviews using interpretive description.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: emotional transition, social transition, transitioning mindset, transitioning through firsts, and transitioning with confidence.
• NGNs demonstrated increased confidence in their skills and practice over the two-year study period.
• Distinct elements of transition were evident within each identified theme.

Conclusions:

• Findings offer crucial insights into the ICU transition experiences of NGNs.
• Understanding these experiences is vital for developing targeted support strategies.
• Interventions can be developed to enhance NGN retention and success in critical care settings.