Preparing for role transition to a registered nurse standards for practice

The period of adaptation during transition changes from one person to another. Research by Duchscher shows that “the transition period refers to the first 12 months after graduation when a student nurse transitions to a qualified nurse” (Duchscher, 2009). Different studies have proved that some of the challenges faced by new graduate nurses such as work dissatisfaction and stress make some of them quit their careers, thus leading to high rates of turnover. Therefore, it is a phenomenon that calls for further exploration of various challenges experienced by new graduate nurses as they transition to become registered nurses. The essay uses reflective practice to identify different strategies that can be adopted by graduate nurses in overcoming challenges in regard to assimilation (fitting into the new professional environment) through socialization as I transition to a registered nurse.

Fitting in the new environment is among the ultimate goals of the nursing profession and it embraces both standards 1 and 2 of the ACSQHC (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care). This commission designed ten standards for providing uniform actions of quality and safety for the provision of healthcare services (ACSQHC 2012). The adoption of the two standards in measuring my overall performance in the new environment makes assimilation easier during the transition process. It was during my last placement as a nursing student at one of the local hospitals within my neighborhood when I experienced some of the challenges associated with assimilation as I was trying to fit in the system and socialize positively with the other professional nurses in the AMU (Acute Medical Unit).

Just like any other graduate nurse within my capacity, I feared socializing with the professional nurses in the AMU because I was afraid of committing preventable medication errors, something that would have provided my level of incompetence or lack of sufficient clinical experience. During my undergraduate level, I used to have a preceptor who constantly monitored what I was doing so as to avoid any form of medication errors. He is directly accountable for my medical administration during my transition period as a graduate practitioner. As a graduate nurse, I will be expected to have confidence in whatever I take part in by properly translating academic knowledge to real-life practice, something that will determine the way I will fit in the new environment (Lea and Cruickshank, 2014).

Such assumption leads to a feeling of being isolated socially and may result in high levels of anxiety and stress, increasing chances of medical errors due to lack of professional support from the other qualified team members. Despite the above challenges, growing all through my personal experience placements has improved my reasoning abilities and skills in thinking, collection and interpretation, inferring and implementation of actions that enhance my level of assimilation in a new environment. During my placement, I always relied on a preceptor who always monitored my activities and offered a lot of support especially though in-training services. A second approach that can be used by novice nurses is the art of thinking about their personal thinking, normally known as metacognition.

This involves developing trust in their own assumptions as well as accepting the obvious explanations. This method helps graduate nurses in thinking critically about the demands of a particular situation. Having confidence in doing this results to reflection and experience as well as dialogue with the other professional nurses, thus making it easier for them to fit in the new environment (Feng and Tsai, 2012). The professional socialization of recently graduated nurses — Experiences of an introduction program.  Nurse Education Today, 32(3), pp. Duchscher, J. Transition shock: the initial stage of role adaptation for newly graduated Registered Nurses.  Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(5), pp. and Cruickshank, M. The support needs of new graduate nurses making the transition to rural nursing practice in Australia.  Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(7-8), pp.