Exploring the development of early career nurses: insights 4 years after graduation

Exploring the development of early career nurses: insights 4 years after graduation

Aim
To explore how Early Career Nurses perceive their preparedness for nursing practice, the teaching and learning experiences, and the role of professional experience placements on their professional development.

Design
A qualitative study using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.

Method
The study involved 25 Early Career Nurses who participated in follow-up interviews 4 years post-graduation in Australia between 2022 and 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Analysis.

Results
Three key themes emerged: gaps in preparedness, the power of being embedded and too many balls to juggle. Participants indicated a mixed sense of preparedness with significant gaps in clinical skills. They emphasised the critical role of professional experience placements and mentorship to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Placements and mentorship opportunities were considered essential to develop confidence and competence for effective nursing practice.

Conclusion
The study highlights the necessity for nursing curricula to address significant gaps in clinical skills, particularly in surgical and emergency nursing. By incorporating more simulation-based learning, interprofessional education and robust mentorship programmes, nursing education can better prepare graduates for the realities of clinical practice. These enhancements will help ease the transition from academic training to clinical practice, reducing reality shock and fostering a more confident, competent and resilient nursing workforce.