An exploratory study of the transitional experience of newly graduated registered nurses in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background Nurses are the largest in number of all healthcare professionals. Numerous studies have discussed the difficulties of role transition from student to registered nurse. The transitional experience is often deemed stressful and challenging for newly graduated registered nurses globally.

Aim This study explored new graduates’ experiences and factors affecting the adaptation from student to registered nurse in Hong Kong.

Method A qualitative study was conducted from Jan to Dec 2013 with full-time registered nurses who have less than one year working experience. Purposive sampling was used. Nine male and five females, from various clinical specialties, participated in the study. Data was collected through individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim with privacy and confidentiality maintained. After conducting 14 nurses’ interviews, data was saturated and content analysis was conducted with member checking and credibility ensured.

Findings The major transitional experiences perceived by the participants were identified as job satisfaction, feelings of frustration, and work challenges. Personal and work related factors also significantly affected new graduates’ role adaptation. Learning attitude, self-perception of clinical competency and capacity to deal with difficult situations were subcategories of personal factors. Relationships and supporting resources in workplace were subcategories of work factors affecting the transition.

Conclusions The findings indicate the new graduates had experienced a certain degree of psychological and operational difficulties in transitioning from student to registered nurse. In order to increase confidence and self-perceived clinical competency, the training institutions and healthcare organisations should provide training for promoting emotional well-being and improving practical skills as well as in-service orientation and preceptor programs for adaptation in early months of work.