FROM ‘DEPENDENT ON’ TO ‘DEPENDED ON’: THE EXPERIENCE OF TRANSITION FROM STUDENT TO REGISTERED NURSE IN A PRIVATEHOSPITAL GRADUATE PROGRAM

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the issues around the transition from university student to registered nurse (RN). This transition period is acknowledged as a time of significant stress as graduates endeavour to consolidate their nursing knowledge and gain mastery of clinical skills in a working environment. They require support and guidance to effect a successful transition. There has been little published research on the transitional experience of graduates in Australian hospitals.

This study explored the transitional experiences of nurses who had completed their first year of clinical practice after graduation in a Victorian private hospital graduate nurse program. A qualitative approach using techniques of the Grounded Theory method was utilised. Five volunteer graduates were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Interviews were transcribed and analysed to identify emergent themes and categories.

Three major themes were identified that described the transition experience for the participants. These were: ‘developmental first steps’ which described the unexpected shock and feelings of being unprepared on entry to the work setting along with the reality of the unrealistic expectations of colleagues; ‘developmental stumbling blocks’ which described the multiple role and personal stressors that challenged the participants; and ‘striding ahead’ which described the factors that facilitated the participants adaptation to the RN role.