Breaking through the dilemma of whether to continue nursing: Newly graduated nurses' experiences of work challenges

Abstract

Background: Newly graduated nurses (NGNs) often encounter unique work challenges.

Purpose: To discover Taiwanese NGNs' experiences of work challenges.

Method: An interpretive qualitative design was chosen. In-depth interviews were completed with 25 NGNs working in clinical settings in Taiwan. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: The essential structure of NGNs' experiences of work challenges was described as struggling and breaking through the dilemma of deciding whether to continue nursing or quit. Four themes with ten subthemes were identified: 1. being tense as if walking on thin ice (fear of making mistakes, uncertainty of decision making for care practice); 2. suffering physical exhaustion and mental stress(work overload and shiftwork, the burden to be expected, unfamiliar work culture); 3. entering and adjusting to the profession (assessing self and deciding whether to stay in nursing, building up competency); and 4. gaining more confidence(problem solving, emotional control, finding an appropriate way for oneself).

Conclusions: Findings indicate the significance of such experiences, and the results are useful for clinical instructors and administration to help NGNs overcome challenges.

Keywords: Interpretive qualitative design; Newly graduated nurse; Work challenge; Work overload.