Abstract:
Background: Over the years it has been assumed that newly qualified nurses are ready for practice immediately after passing their licensure examination. However, studies have shown that, the newly qualified graduate nurse experiences role performance stress, moral distress, discouragement and disillusion. Expectations at the workplace, during the initial months of their introduction to professional practice are inordinately high; structures that promote transition from newly qualified nurse to professional nurse have not been put in place to assist them. Aim: The study was aimed at exploring the transitional experiences of newly qualified diploma nurses during their one year rotation at the Tema General Hospital. Method: The study used a qualitative exploratory descriptive research design. A purposive sample size of ten rotation nurses were interviewed. Data was analyzed using content analysis. Seven themes emerged from the data, which included motivation for career choice, preparation for practice, expectations, work experience, supportive work environment, faith and coping strategies, and measure to improve transition experience Findings: The findings from the study showed that the transition period is stressful, with the new nurses reporting of negative staff attitude towards them, a sense of unfair expectations on them from their senior colleagues, and lack of supportive environment. Conclusions: The study revealed that the transition from newly qualified diploma nurse to professional nurse was stressful for the participants. It is therefore important that ward managers, and all nurses understand the experiences these new nurses go through and try to organized support systems for tracking and mentoring newly qualified nurses. This will make the rotation period less stressful for them.
