Date

5-22-2024

Department

School of Nursing

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Verna LaFleur

Keywords

orientation, retention, new graduate nurse, preceptor, nurse residency program

Disciplines

Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the orientation experiences of new graduate nurses and identify retention practices that are relevant and beneficial to the population of interest. Study participants were new graduate nurses employed at a five-hospital healthcare system. Using social constructivism as the theoretical framework, the study sought to answer the research question of what are the lived experiences of new graduate nurses during orientation? Ten new graduate nurses participated in individual interviews to discuss their personal orientation experiences. The interviews informed the researcher regarding the meaning and value new graduates place on their orientation experiences and what made them stay in their current position. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes. Findings of the research indicate that new graduate nurses continue to experience reality shock as they transition from student to professional nurse. During orientation, new graduate nurses desired tactile learning experiences to cement the knowledge attained in the didactic portions of their orientation. Additionally, they possessed a yen to work in a positive supportive unit culture. Nine of the ten nurses are still working on the nursing unit where they were hired to work as new graduate nurses. Future research regarding new graduate orientation and retention practices should focus on individuals who have vacated their first nursing position to evaluate how their orientation experiences may have differed from the study sample and if they have additional insight into effective retention practices.

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