Newly graduated nurses' first-year work experiences in Turkey: a qualitative study on reality shock and professional adaptation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine newly graduated nurses' first-year work experiences, their coping processes in response to reality shock and their perceptions of professional adaptation.

DESIGN

This study employed a descriptive phenomenological design.

SETTING

The study was conducted in a university hospital in Turkey between October 2024 and March 2025.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants consisted of 10 new graduate nurses working in clinical units including emergency departments, intensive care units and medical and surgical services. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The study identified three main themes: 'Reality Shock and Professional Challenges', 'Adaptation and Coping Process' and 'Professional Development and Job Satisfaction'. Participants experienced reality shock due to the theory-practice gap, heavy workload, fear of mistakes, communication problems and insufficient support. Support from experienced nurses, peer support and coping strategies facilitated adaptation, while increasing clinical experience improved professional competence, self-confidence and job satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

It is evident that the transition process for newly graduated nurses involves not only the development of clinical skills but also intense psychosocial adaptation processes. It is believed that structured orientation programmes, mentor support and supportive work environments can strengthen new graduate nurses' professional adaptation processes.