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

To assess the impact of orientation programmes on new graduate nurses' transition periods.

The transition of graduate nurses from students to the practising professional nurse is often found to be stressful.

The study has employed a descriptive correlational design.

The data were collected from 95 participants who were working as registered nurses in public hospitals in Al-Bahah region. Questionnaire was used for collecting data which was based on the Casey-Fink graduate nurse experience survey. SPSS software was used to analyse the results. The methods of this study are in line with the STROBE checklist.

The findings indicated statistically significant relationship between preceptor's support and communication leadership, professional satisfaction and job satisfaction, whereas an insignificant relationship was observed between preceptor's support and organising patient safety. The results also indicated that new graduate nurses were uncomfortable while performing different procedures/skills independently.

The study implied instigation of the structured orientation programme to overcome the challenges faced by the new graduate nurses in their transition period.

The upsurge in the nurses' demand across Saudi Arabia makes this study highly relevant. It helps in optimising the transition experience of the nurses who are required to provide service in the acute sector.