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Abstract
Background: The transition from nursing student to graduate remains problematic internationally with issues arising concerning graduates’ work readiness upon commencing employment.
Aim: This exploratory study specifically investigated perceptions of graduate nurse program coordinators on the work readiness of nursing graduates, with the aims of identifying strengths, weaknesses and challenges that exist.
Design: Qualitative descriptive design.
Methods: Sixteen graduate nurse program coordinators were interviewed from various health-care services in the state of Victoria, Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to disclose reoccurring themes and sub-themes.
Findings: This paper reports on one theme, preparation readiness, and three sub-themes associated with this theme; clinical skills deficits, communication issues and transitioning as an enrolled nurse to a registered nurse.
Conclusions: There are several areas of weaknesses and challenges for nursing graduates in their preparation for practice. As a poorly understood area, evidence from this study will inform curriculum development and transition programs, not only in Australia, but also internationally.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and thank graduate nurse program coordinators who participated in this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.