New to the community setting: nurses’ experiences and the importance of orientation

Abstract

There has been little research about the experiences of nurses transitioning into community nursing (CN), despite the growing demand for nurses in this setting and impending shortfall in the nursing workforce in Australia. In this study, nurses from a busy metropolitan CN service were interviewed to explore how they experienced their first months in their new role. The interviews were analysed thematically, with three themes emerging: Adaptation, Focus of Care and Context. Participants detailed their experiences adjusting to new work practices and the community setting, and expanded on their enjoyment from increased autonomy, career goal recognition and rewarding patient relationships and outcomes. The findings of this study are aligned with previous literature about nurses entering the primary healthcare setting from acute care, and particularly highlight the need to individually tailor orientation, preceptorship and ongoing career development programs to each nurse.