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[TEST ANSWER] NURS13135 Term2 Assessment 3:Transitional Challenges and Coping Strategies for Newly Graduated Registered Nurses

Details
Despite the years applied to completing their degree and gaining registration, newly graduated registered nurses often describe a feeling of being unprepared for their new profession. This feeling can range from somewhat uncomfortable to highly shocking and it can have a significant impact on staff retention in the workplace. The following case study shows the reaction of one graduate when she begins her new job in a busy medical ward.
Journal Entry 8th May 2020: I don't understand what is happening. I was so happy when I started work in Medical One in February. There was so much to learn and coming to work was fun - even on night duty. Now I feel like I don't even know what I need to know to get through the shift and I'm not sure my preceptor knows half the time. Sometimes she is so rude to me and doesn't tell me what she wants and then I get in trouble for not doing it. I'm not a mind-reader. I notice that broken equipment is not attended to and other staff only follow the policies they agree with. This isn't how nursing is supposed to be. I'm not sure I even want to be a nurse anymore.
Task
Examine the transitional challenges that Jane is experiencing on entering the workforce and using current literature explore the concept of reality shock. Identify positive coping strategies that Jane could use to address the issues she is experiencing. Consider resilience and resiliency development strategies in the workplace in your response.

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Transitional Challenges and Coping Strategies for Newly Graduated Registered Nurses

There is a huge difference between nursing education and professional practice. Education is meant to equip aspiring nurses with sufficient clinical reasoning skills and knowhow, and align their personal attributes with high professional standards necessary for practice (AlMekkawi & El Khalil, 2020). Yet this does little to prepare aspiring nurses for the reality of the work environment. In fact, research has reported that newly graduated registered nurses (NGRNs) are, in most cases, not ready for practice even as they begin work (Bjerknes & Bjørk, 2012; Wong et al., 2018). The gap between expectations and reality creates a shock and challenges whose effects reverberate beyond the individuals themselves. For healthcare organisations, this reality shock could drive up attrition rates (Graf et al., 2020). High turnover rates in the nursing workforce could be especially damming at a time when Australia may face a shortage of up to 85,000 registered nurses by the year 2025 (Hegney et al., 2019). No wonder there is a spirited effort to streamline transition into practice for NGRNs. Leong and Crossman (2016) suggest sustained support in helping NGRNs surmount transitional challenges and turn them from detrimental stressors to lessons for resiliency. Drawing from Jane’s case study, this paper explores the concept of reality shock and discusses the challenges faced by NGRNs in their transition to professional practice. The paper also identifies positive coping strategies that can foster resilience among NGRNs.

Moving from the classroom into the practice setting comes with a sense of confusion, uncertainty, and reality shock. According to Gaundan and Mohammadnezhad (2018),...[Buy Full Answer for Just USD 15: 2000 WORDS]