Views of recent Singapore nursing graduates: factors influencing nurse–patient interaction in hospital settings

Abstract

Background: The nurse–patient relationship is central to the provision of positive and effective care delivery. Aim: This exploratory study investigated recent Singapore nursing graduates’ experience of factors that facilitate and/or impede nurse–patient interaction in hospital settings. Design: Qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 11 graduate nurses until theoretical saturation of ideas was achieved. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The three themes that emerged from the nursing interviews were: patient-related factors, nurse-related factors, and care culture-related factors. Conclusions: Transitioning to practice can be challenging for new graduate nurses. These findings have implications for education programs and the role of the nurse.

Keywords:

• communication
• continuing professional development
• new nursing graduates
• nurse workforce challenges
• interaction
• Singapore

Acknowledgement

We wish to thank Dr Cherry Lau for her encouragement in the early stages of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.