The dynamic relationship between intern nursing student's transition shock and job retention intention: A dual...

The global shortage of nurses underscores the critical need to understand intern nursing students' willingness to persist in the profession. The transition shock commonly encountered by intern nursing students significantly impact their job retention intention and career choices, making it essential to understand the dynamic relationship between these factors.

This study aims to investigate the developmental trajectories of transition shock and job retention intentions among intern nursing students during their clinical placements. It will assess the interrelationships between these phenomena and identify relevant influencing factors.

A prospective cohort study METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in Chengdu, China, from July 2024 to May 2025. Data were collected three times during the nursing students' internship period using the Social-demographic information questionnaire, Transition Shock Scale of Undergraduate Nursing Students(TSS, Chinese version)and the Questionnaire for Nurse Intention to Remain Employed. The analysis utilized Group-Based Dual Trajectory Modeling (GBDTM) and multiple logistic regression.

The study included 211 intern nursing students. Transition shocks were classified into four trajectories: Low-flat (9.9%), Low-to-Middle (9.9%), Middle-stable (37.4%), and High-to-Middle (42.8%). Job retention intentions showed four trajectories: Low-flat (16.1%), Middle-stable (50.2%), High-stable (22.3%), and High-curved (11.4%). Group-Based Dual Trajectory Modeling (GBDTM) identified 16 co-occurrence patterns, the most prevalent being the "High-to-Middle transition shock and Middle-stable job retention intention" (28.43%) and the "Middle-stable transition shock and Middle-stable job retention intention" (26.81%). Factors such as job retention intention, education, Internship hospital is the first choice, and satisfaction with the internship environment were identified as risk factors for transition shock among intern nursing students. Additionally, transition shock, being an only child, Preference for the nursing profession, and the relationship with the preceptor during the internship emerged as significant predictors of job retention intention.

We identified distinct trajectories, co-occurrence patterns, and influencing factors related to transition shock and job retention intentions among intern nursing students. Nursing educators can utilize these findings to design personalized intervention strategies aimed at mitigating transition shock and enhancing job retention intentions.