The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of new graduate baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses (RNs) who work in an acute care hospital setting. The study was a phenomenological qualitative research design, with researcher-developed guiding questions to help direct the interviews. Participants had passed the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and had been practicing from three months to one year.
Eight RNs participated in the study, with seven usable interviews. Results found that new graduate RNs experience multiple stressors as they acclimate to their new roles. The primary stressors that were identified by the participants included high nurse-to-patient ratios, short orientation periods, time management and prioritizing, and lack of time with their preceptors. In addition, the RNs expressed frustration with the inability to spend quality time with their patients. They felt that although the patients needs were met, they were rushed in providing care and were unable to serve as a patient advocate.
Other stressors identified by the RNs were concerns about interacting with physicians, and constant apprehension that a patients condition would deteriorate and they would not recognize the change in a timely manner. In addition, concerns about lack of staff support were mentioned by a majority of the participants, and they were very particular who they approached for assistance.
The results of this study also indicated that the new RNs were very committed to patient care and overall enjoyed nursing. While they acknowledged the stressors, many were very surprised by the mental and physical demands of working in an acute care hospital setting. Preceptors were of great value in the transition, and served as a role model, educator, and support system.
The researcher identified the following themes that emerged: 1) The Honeymoon Phase, where the new RNs were excited, nervous, and anxious about beginning their job; 2) The Transition Phase, where reality of their roles began to set in, and multiple stressors were identified; and 3) The Divorce or Reconciliation Phase, where the new RN made the decision to stay or leave their job in the acute care hospital setting.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-08212005-203641 |
| Date | 26 August 2005 |
| Creators | Harper, Jeannie Ricks |
| Contributors | Krisanna Machtmes, Michael Burnett, Earl Johnson, Gerri Johnson, James Moore |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-08212005-203641/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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