Navigating the First Months of Work: A Cross-Sectional Study on Newly Graduated Registered Nurses' Journey Into the...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Transition
• Professional Development

Background:

• The transition from education to hospital practice is a critical period for newly graduated registered nurses (NGN).
• Challenges include managing stress, insecurity, and adapting to new roles, impacting job satisfaction and retention.
• Effective transition support is vital for NGNs' successful integration and long-term career success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions and experiences of newly graduated registered nurses (NGN) during their initial four months of hospital work.
• To identify factors influencing the NGN transition process.
• To provide insights for improving NGN transition programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 216 NGNs in a Swedish regional transition program.
• Data collection involved Likert-scale questions and open-ended free text responses.
• Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• 61% of NGNs felt well-prepared by undergraduate education; 85% enjoyed their profession.
• Most NGNs reported team integration, adequate support, and clear responsibilities.
• However, only 28% felt fully recovered for work, and 44% feared making mistakes; unpreparedness for workload and pace was noted.

Conclusions:

• The NGN transition is influenced by individual, social, and organizational factors.
• While NGNs value learning and relationship-building opportunities, challenges with workload and pace persist.
• Improving NGN transition requires collaborative efforts between nurses, educational institutions, and hospitals.