Location
Virtual Conference
Start Date
12-8-2022 9:10 AM
End Date
12-8-2022 9:30 AM
Description
Background
New graduate nurses (NGNs) in acute care settings are particularly vulnerable to the stressors inherent in nursing, due to the immense amount of experiential learning required at the bedside during the first year of practice. The high amount of stress experienced by NGNs is reflected in high turnover rates. Nurses with less than two years of experience accounted for almost half (47.5%) of all nurse turnovers in 2019. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused much physical and emotional turmoil in the nursing profession due to the increased workload and emotional distress. However, there are limited studies exploring the experiences of NGNs during this or past pandemics.
Purpose/Aims
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of NGNs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in turn, gain a deeper understanding of ways to further support them during their pivotal transition phase.
Methods/Approach
This phenomenological research design involved one-on-one semi-structured interviews with NGNs (N = 12) working on medical-surgical, telemetry, or stepdown units at an acute care medical center in Southern California. The participants were part of the hospital’s nurse residency program that started between April 2020 and January 2021. Interviews were conducted over video call, via Microsoft Teams. The interviews were recorded for transcription and analyzed for common themes and concepts for results.
Results
Four themes and multiple subthemes were identified upon content analysis of the qualitative data, as follows: (a) staffing (floating and out of compliance), (b) orientation (preceptorship, new graduate nurse residency, and caring for patients with COVID-19 versus without COVID-19), (c) caring for patients with COVID-19 (nurse moral injury, fear of transmission and level of supplies, and coping with stress during COVID-19), and (d) silver lining.
Conclusion/Implication for Practice
The study’s results indicated the need to further support NGNs with properly trained preceptors, adequate staffing and resources, and self-care programs to enhance their sense of safety and well-being at work and outside of work, in order to decrease burnout and in turn increase nursing satisfaction and retention amongst NGNs.
Event Type
Podium Presentation
Keywords:
california; psjmc; covid-19
Recommended Citation
Youn, Julie, "Exploring the Lived Experiences of New Graduate Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2022). 2022 Southern California Nursing Research Conference. 3.
https://digitalcommons.providence.org/socal_nursing_conference_22/2022/day1/3
Exploring the Lived Experiences of New Graduate Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Virtual Conference
Background
New graduate nurses (NGNs) in acute care settings are particularly vulnerable to the stressors inherent in nursing, due to the immense amount of experiential learning required at the bedside during the first year of practice. The high amount of stress experienced by NGNs is reflected in high turnover rates. Nurses with less than two years of experience accounted for almost half (47.5%) of all nurse turnovers in 2019. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused much physical and emotional turmoil in the nursing profession due to the increased workload and emotional distress. However, there are limited studies exploring the experiences of NGNs during this or past pandemics.
Purpose/Aims
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of NGNs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in turn, gain a deeper understanding of ways to further support them during their pivotal transition phase.
Methods/Approach
This phenomenological research design involved one-on-one semi-structured interviews with NGNs (N = 12) working on medical-surgical, telemetry, or stepdown units at an acute care medical center in Southern California. The participants were part of the hospital’s nurse residency program that started between April 2020 and January 2021. Interviews were conducted over video call, via Microsoft Teams. The interviews were recorded for transcription and analyzed for common themes and concepts for results.
Results
Four themes and multiple subthemes were identified upon content analysis of the qualitative data, as follows: (a) staffing (floating and out of compliance), (b) orientation (preceptorship, new graduate nurse residency, and caring for patients with COVID-19 versus without COVID-19), (c) caring for patients with COVID-19 (nurse moral injury, fear of transmission and level of supplies, and coping with stress during COVID-19), and (d) silver lining.
Conclusion/Implication for Practice
The study’s results indicated the need to further support NGNs with properly trained preceptors, adequate staffing and resources, and self-care programs to enhance their sense of safety and well-being at work and outside of work, in order to decrease burnout and in turn increase nursing satisfaction and retention amongst NGNs.
Comments
References:
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