Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Expectations and Actual Experiences of Transitioning to Professional Practice

• Main Author: Blankenship, Susan Michele
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Nursing
• ISBN: 1369814461; 9781369814460

Newly graduated nurses are entering a complex healthcare environment caring for patients who are older and have multiple healthcare needs. Despite efforts by healthcare agencies and nursing programs, newly graduated nurses continue to struggle with transitioning to professional nursing practice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore senior baccalaureate nursing students’ expectations of transitioning to professional nursing practice and their actual experiences up to the first three months working as a professional nurse. Duchscher’s (2012) Stages of Transition was the theoretical framework for two web-based, qualitative surveys. Thorne’s (2008) interpretative description was the methodology for data collection and analysis. Three themes were revealed in the Senior Nursing Student Survey (n = 22), “Finding my feet,” “Learning as much as I can,” and “I need people… willing to help me.” Four themes were revealed in the Newly Graduated Nurse survey ( n = 9), “Nothing can prepare you for this,” “Enough to pass NCLEX,” “We have support everywhere,” and “Personal life changes.” A clear message revealed by the participants suggested that nursing programs teach the basics to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. As students transition to professional nursing practice, they can be overwhelmed and do not know what to expect. Students felt supported during the transition to professional nursing practice. Personal life changes that are occurring at the same time as they begin their nursing career can have an impact on the transition to professional nursing practice.