Newly graduated nurses' experiences in internal medicine and surgical clinics after the earthquake

To explore the experiences of newly graduated nurses working in internal medicine and surgical units in earthquake-affected regions.

The 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye severely disrupted healthcare services and increased the need for healthcare professionals in affected regions. Little is known about the experiences of newly graduated nurses as they begin their careers in disaster-affected settings.

This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews with 10 newly graduated nurses working in internal medicine and surgical units between February and August 2025. The interviews were conducted online, recorded, transcribed, thematically analysed, and reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.

Six main themes and 14 sub-themes were identified: (1) assignment process and decision-making, involving perceived ease of appointment, obligation, family guidance, and social responsibility; (2) physiological and environmental challenges, including health, housing, basic needs and transportation problems; (3) psychological challenges, including adaptation difficulties, post-traumatic fears, and empathic burden from traumatic narratives; (4) social life challenges, characterised by limited social opportunities and gradual development of a new social life; (5) professional experiences, including inexperience, working with disaster-affected colleagues, and caring for earthquake-affected patients; and (6) recommendations for supporting newly graduated nurses.

Beginning professional practice in a disaster-affected region created substantial environmental, psychological, social, and professional challenges for newly graduated nurses. These findings support the need for structured preparation and support to facilitate their adaptation to such settings.

Newly graduated nurses assigned to disaster-affected regions should receive disaster preparedness training, structured orientation, and psychological and institutional support. Workforce planning should also ensure access to experienced nurses who can support newly graduated staff in high-risk settings.

No patient or public contribution.