The Relationship Between Transition Shock and Maintaining Professional Membership Among Newly Graduated Nurses: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement.

BACKGROUND

The transition from student to professional nurse represents a significant challenge for Newly Graduated Nurses (NGNs). The first year of practice is often considered a critical period of adaptation, during which transition shock and the level of work engagement can significantly influence their intention to remain in the profession.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between transition shock and maintaining professional membership among NGNs.

METHODS

A total of 374 NGNs employed at a city hospital constituted the participants in this correlational and cross-sectional study. Three scales were used to collect data: the Nursing Transition Shock Scale, the Maintaining Professional Membership Scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3). Data were collected between April 2024 and May 2024.

RESULTS

The mean level of transition shock among NGNs was indicating moderate shock, while the mean scores for maintaining professional membership and work engagement were above average. Transition shock was found to have a negative effect on maintaining professional membership. In addition, work engagement had an indirect effect on the correlation between transition shock and maintaining professional membership.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Work engagement plays a vital mediating role in buffering the negative impact of transition shock on newly graduated nurses. Healthcare leaders can enhance nurses' ability to maintain their professional membership and reduce turnover by implementing targeted strategies that actively foster work engagement and ease the transition to practice.