Transition Shock Experience of Nursing Students in Clinical Practice: A Phenomenological Approach

Clinical practice is an irreplaceable educational field in nursing education. Nursing students prepare to become nurses by integrating theoretical and practical nursing practices during clinical practice. However, nursing students experience emotional shock in the clinical environment, which differs from the theoretical learning environment as they enter the clinical practice stage. In this study, the experiences of nursing students with transition shock were analyzed using the analysis method suggested by Colaizzi. From 10 existing subthemes, four new themes were created. Four categories derived from nursing students' experiences of transition shock were identified as "an unbearable reality", "feeling the difference between learning and applying nursing care", "disappointment at the diminished presence", and "fear of becoming a nurse". The study results can be used as basic data for measures taken for nursing students in the field of nursing education to increase the understanding of transition shock and its reduction.