A Time of Challenge and Growth: A Qualitative Study of Newly Qualified Nurses’ Experience

Abstract

Background: In any country the transition from student to Registered Nurse is a rewarding but challenging and stressful time. Nurses terminating employment within one year of qualification have been reported as 58% in Taiwan. Therefore, the experience of NQNs’ transition from the role of student to qualified nurse after being employed in their first posts in their nursing careers in Taiwan is worthy of research. Purpose: To explore experiences of newly qualified nurses (NQNs) during the first twelve months of their career in Taiwan. Methods: A primarily cross-sectional qualitative research design was used. These were a purposive sample of 28 NQNs during the first 12 months as Registered Nurses. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with groups of participants. Data analysis was undertaken within the Thematic Content Analysis Framework. Results: Four main themes of newly qualified nurses’ experiences were identified: Perceptions of becoming a nurse; Reality challenge; Developing competence; and Interpersonal relationships. Conclusion: NQN’s experiences in clinical practice during the first twelve months employment sound very like a reality challenge. Successful transition was influenced by personal, social and environmental work factors. NQNs identified that their new role was based on what they evaluated as limited knowledge and skills. They addressed the importance of interpersonal relationship influenced their transition experiences. The findings have implications for education of student nurses and their support during transition to the role of qualified nurses. This requires a coordinated response from nursing schools, hospitals and government to increase those who adapt to their new roles and develop successful nursing careers.