Successful Transition of the New Graduate Nurse

TLDR

New graduate nurses are widely regarded as lacking practice readiness because of a theory‑practice gap, a concern that has prompted educators, employers, and stakeholders to seek evidence‑based solutions. The study aims to deepen understanding of the transition from student to graduate nurse through discussion groups with new graduates, staff nurses, employers, and educators across Alberta. The authors conducted discussion groups with 14 new graduates and 133 staff nurses, employers, and educators, supplemented by input from five additional graduates and 34 staff via fax or e‑mail. The initiative revealed that assumptions about practice readiness should be reexamined and clarified what constitutes an effective workplace transition.

Abstract

Reports that new nurse graduates are not sufficiently prepared to enter the workforce are of concern to educators, employers, and other stakeholders. Often, this lack of 'practice readiness' is defined in relation to an inability to 'hit the ground running' and is attributed to a 'gap' between theory and practice and the nature of current work environments. To gain a deeper understanding of the process of making the transition from student to graduate nurse, discussion groups were held across Alberta with 14 new graduates and 133 staff nurses, employers, and educators. Five additional new graduates and 34 staff nurses, employers, and educators provided input by fax or e-mail. The findings of this initiative speak to the need to examine assumptions underlying 'practice readiness' and what constitutes an effective transition to the workplace. The problems to be addressed are complex and a wide range of sustainable, evidence-based approaches are required to resolve them.