Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Coming ready or not! An integrative review examining new graduate nurses' transition in acute care

Natasha Hawkins, Sarah Jeong, Tony Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: To synthesize the scientific evidence about new graduate nurses' transition to practice in the acute care setting and consider implications for nurses and nursing practice.

Background: Despite the vast amount of literature on new graduate nurses' transition to practice, the transition of new graduate nurses is a global issue and remains at the forefront of discussions within the nursing community.

Design: An integrative review.

Review Methods: A search of evidence‐based research from seven electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Cochrane, JBI, Wiley, and Scopus) was conducted for the period of 2006‐2016. Eligible articles were critically reviewed and scored using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results: Twenty‐six articles were reviewed, which included 19 qualitative, five quantitative, and two mixed methods studies. "The Experiences" are described in three themes: Dominated by fear but feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction" Reality vs Idealism" and Adjusting to nursing life. "The Factors" are described under three themes: Personal, Professional, and Organizational.

Conclusion: The transition experience of new graduate nurses is complex and multidimensional and highlights that "it takes a village" to grow and support new graduate nurses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Practice
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2019

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Coming ready or not! An integrative review examining new graduate nurses' transition in acute care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this