Experiences of Resilience Among Newly Graduated Nurses Transitioning to Practice: A Nationwide Longitudinal Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Resilience supports nursing students as they transition into professional practice, yet limited evidence describes how resilience evolves over time. Understanding these experiences, including the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors, may help inform strategies to promote workforce retention. PURPOSE: To explore facilitators and barriers to resilience in nursing students as they transition from school to clinical practice, and to describe how socioeconomic and cultural factors impact resilience. METHODS: Using a multimethod, longitudinal, qualitative study design, online photovoice and virtual focus groups were employed with 62 nursing students nationally, collecting data at (1) baseline (final semester), (2) 4-5 months into practice, and (3) 8-9 months into practice. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: (1) cultural duality, (2) discovery of nursing realities, (3) evolution of adaptation, and (4) financial implications. CONCLUSIONS: New graduate nurse resilience evolves over time and is shaped by various factors. Findings offer insights for nurse educators and leaders on promoting resilience.

Duke Scholars

Author Donald Etheridge Bailey Jr. School of Nursing

Author Jennie De Gagne School of Nursing

Author Amy Lynn Corneli Population Health Sciences

Author Tolulope Oyesanya School of Nursing