First Job Workplace Stressors for New Nurse Graduates in Their Own Words: A Secondary Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to have a better understanding of the experiences of new nurse graduates in their work environment and the perceived stressors during their transition into the role of registered nurse. BACKGROUND The National Student Nurses' Association conducts an annual survey of all its members who are new graduates in the months following graduation. METHOD The study used a qualitative design on a sample of 1,456 responses. Participants provided typed-in responses. Responses were sorted and coded using constant comparison method. Three independent judges aggregated interpretations through consensus. RESULTS The themes that emerged were related to respondents' attempts to find balance and reflected the stress of the environment, expectations on self, and interactions with others that affected them. CONCLUSION New graduates describe their transitions to the role of new nurse in words that suggest that their workplace environments are extremely stressful.

Beyond Onboarding

“…According to the National Student Nurses Association, new graduates are finding jobs in all health sectors in contrast to prior to the pandemic when many organizations were only hiring experienced nurses. In its survey of 2,691 NSNA members who graduated in the Spring of 2021 (Feeg et al, 2022; the most recent data available), the overall employment of new graduates in 2021 was 92%, the highest it has been in years. Most (85%) found jobs within 3 months, and by 6 months, 97% of respondents reported they had jobs.…”

Razlogi za zapuščanje poklica med medicinskimi sestrami v bolnišnicah

“…Z dolgoživo družbo naraščajo potrebe po zdravstveni obravnavi (Feeg & Mancino, 2014) in s tem tudi potrebe po povečanju števila zdravstvenega kadra (Saudi Patient Safety Center, 2019). Prisotno je tudi družbeno zavedanje, da je za doseganje globalnih ciljev univerzalnega zdravstvenega varstva in njegovo učinkovito izvajanje treba zagotoviti geografsko enakomerno porazdelitev trajnostnih kadrov v zdravstveni negi (Buchan, Shaffer, & Catton, 2018).…”

Utilizing Handoff Reporting Tools to Improve the Novice Nurse's Workflow

“…Novice nurses are exposed to the aforementioned processes through demonstration, modeling, and support by their preceptors. Nursing literature supports the need for mentorship and peer support during the transition to practice period to increase novice nurses' success in the workplace (Cook, 2016;Feeg et al, 2022;Jewell, 2013;Rush et al, 2013). In addition, new graduate nurses require frameworks or rules to help guide their acquisition of skills and role development (Cook, 2016).…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the clinical experiences nursing students received in recent years. Simulation was utilized during the pandemic era to fill gaps related to lost clinical placement hours (Feeg et al, 2022). According to Feeg et al (2022), the literature yields varying results on the impact of simulation on transition to practice nurses.…”

“…Simulation was utilized during the pandemic era to fill gaps related to lost clinical placement hours (Feeg et al, 2022). According to Feeg et al (2022), the literature yields varying results on the impact of simulation on transition to practice nurses. A lack of exposure to patient acuity and clinical experiences can negatively affect the new graduate nurse's ability to identify key aspects of care related to patients' diagnoses and comorbid conditions.…”