A Case Study Design Examining New Graduate Registered Nurse Well-Being

Abstract

In the face of multifarious challenges, including individual stressors, nursing workforce fluctuations, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being of new graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) during their initial months of practice is a pivotal concern. This study, employing a qualitative case study design, investigates the wellbeing of NGRNs during their first three months, with the dual objectives of understanding their state of well-being and identifying its facilitators and inhibitors. Data collection involved reflective journaling and structured focus groups with 12 NGRNs from four neighboring hospitals within a large, not-for-profit system over three months. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis revealed three critical themes elucidating NGRNs’ complex experiences: (1) emotional and physical well-being, (2) interpersonal relations and support, and (3) professional development and work environment. These insights underscore the diverse challenges the NGRN participants experienced during the transition to practice period, as well as identify facilitators (e.g., preceptor impact, peer support, patient interaction, self-care, supportive services) and inhibitors (e.g., disappointment, fatigue, schedule constraints, shiftwork, overwhelmed feelings, stress, and bullying). Derived from participant insights, the findings advocate for nuanced interventions across various nursing disciplines and settings. Recommendations include integrating emotional resilience curricula in nursing schools, promoting adaptive strategies and supportive policies by nursing boards, developing criteria for program support effectiveness by accreditation agencies, and adopting flexible scheduling and supportive environment policies by health organizations. These strategies address key findings such as disappointment, workplace bullying, and shiftwork complications, bridging the expectation-reality gap for NGRNs. This study contributes to the discourse on NGRNs’ well-being, presenting a structured approach for enhanced support and policy adaptations, facilitating an improved transition into the nursing profession. The comprehensive exploration and thematic insights contribute to the understanding and addressing the well-being of NGRNs, providing a roadmap for enhanced support and policy implementation, ultimately aiming to facilitate a successful transition into the nursing profession.