From Classroom to Clinic: A Qualitative Study on Newly Graduated Nurses' Transition to Practice

The global nursing shortage and high turnover rates among newly graduated nurses (NGNs) pose significant challenges to their transition into professional roles. Understanding NGNs' experiences is crucial for identifying the factors contributing to turnover and developing targeted strategies that facilitate their integration into clinical practice, ultimately promoting long-term retention. While extensive research has explored this transition in developed countries, there remains a notable gap in studies focusing on NGNs' experiences in developing nations. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of NGNs during their transition to clinical practice (TCP), offering valuable insights to inform policy development and improve support mechanisms in healthcare settings.

This study employed a qualitative inductive content analysis approach to explore NGNs' transition experiences. Conducted in three hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the study recruited 21 NGNs with less than one year of work experience through purposive sampling. Data were gathered via semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman framework. To ensure the trustworthiness of findings, Lincoln and Guba's criteria were rigorously applied. Data management and analysis were facilitated by MAXQDA (version 20).

Three main categories emerged from the data analysis: magnetic experiences, non-magnetic experiences, and transition period outcomes.

The findings underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of NGNs' transition experiences, encompassing both magnetic (supportive) and non-magnetic (challenging) factors that significantly influence patient care quality, job satisfaction, and retention decisions. These findings align with transition theory and transition shock models, emphasizing the urgent need for structured, evidence-based support programs to optimize the transition process. This study provides critical insights for designing targeted interventions, fostering attractive work environments, and enhancing nursing workforce retention strategies.