Experiences of newly qualified professional nurses in a public hospital in the Gauteng Province
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Date
2021
Authors
Ngwenya, Nelisiwe
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Abstract
Background: The first-year experiences of newly qualified professional nurses are regarded
as the most important in their careers. Literature clearly indicates that newly qualified
professional nurses both have a stressful experience and feel unprepared for their roles within
the healthcare system. These experiences lead to a high number of newly qualified
professional nurses leaving the nursing profession.
Purpose/Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of newly
qualified professional nurses in a regional hospital in the Gauteng Province.
Methodology: A qualitative research approach and descriptive research design were used to
gain insight into the first-year experiences of professional nurses at a public hospital in
Gauteng Province. The population included all professional nurses employed at the institution
during 2016/2017 who worked at the selected research site. Participants were sampled
through purposive sampling and data collected using unstructured interviews to collect
information.
Setting: Data was collected in a regional public hospital in the Gauteng Province.
Data Analysis: Data analysis was conducted using qualitative content analysis. Data was
organised, a general sense was developed, data was coded by identifying common words and
phrases from the information collected. Four themes and four sub-themes emerged from the
data and were linked to the research questions and objectives.
Results: The results of this study revealed that professional nurses experienced both positive
and negative experiences during their first year of employment. Newly qualified professional
nurses were excited with their new role. They felt ready and prepared to take up responsibility
in their new environment. The planned orientation programme introduced the new
professional nurses to the new environment. The orientation period was followed by a reality
check in the individual units where professional nurses were placed. The rotation system
exposed newly qualified professional nurses to different units. The rotation system assisted
the newly qualified professional nurses to gain experience and increased their skills. They
experienced the work environment as being totally different from the environment they
trained in. They were exposed to the realities of overseeing units and the challenges that come
with the new responsibilities. This resulted to newly qualified professional nurses questioning
their decision to choose nursing as the preferred profession
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Nursing to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021