The importance of collegial support and a caring workplace culture for newly qualified nurses in becoming confident...

Newly qualified nurses (NQNs) often face stress and lack confidence when transitioning to professional practice. Addressing these challenges is crucial for their development and overall well-being. The way NQNs are welcomed and supported in the workplace is a critical factor influencing their transition experience as they learn to be nurses in the new workplace.

To deepen the understanding of the meanings of collegial support and workplace culture, and how these conditions promote mentees' process of becoming confident nurses during their transition to professional practice.

An explanatory sequential design with a multi method (QUAL-quan) triangulation approach guided by caring science and Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics was employed. Pre- and post-tests were used to evaluate psychosocial conditions in the workplace over time among NQNs (n = 27). Following the intervention, NQNs (n = 19) participated in focus group interviews. Triangulation served as a methodological metaphor to integrate qualitative and quantitative data.

The qualitative and quantitative findings point to the importance of a respectful, supportive, and positive workplace culture in enhancing the meaning of work, fostering a sense of fellowship, and building confidence and self-efficacy among NQNs. The results of the descriptive study demonstrate that social support and a sense of fellowship are highly valued, with no changes observed over time between the pre- and post-tests. Qualitative data support this, emphasising the significance of a caring workplace culture and collegial support.

The findings of this study demonstrate the considerable importance of developing a caring workplace culture that welcomes and respects NQNs as new colleagues. Value-conscious leadership is crucial in fostering such a culture by setting the tone in the workplace, thereby creating conditions that support continuous learning, fellowship, and overall well-being. This study reinforces the importance of supportive colleagues and a compassionate workplace culture in boosting NQNs' confidence and their development into confident nurses.

Not applicable.