The experience of transition from student nurse to registered nurse: a qualitative study of Kuwaiti newly graduated registered nurses, nursing directors, and nurse educators

Abstract

Background: Transition is the process connected to the period when nursing students becoming Registered Nurse and a time when they often experience emotional, intellectual, physical, sociocultural and developmental issues, which might affect their profession retention. 

Aim: This study aims to explore the views and experiences of transition from student nurse to Registered Nurse of Kuwaiti national NGRNs in their first post in clinical practice from the perspectives of NGRNs, Nursing Directors and Nurse Educators. 

Methodology: This study utilised a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 NGRNs and eight Nursing Directors in five health regions of Kuwait, and six focus groups with Nurse Educators from the College of Nursing and the Nursing Institute of Kuwait. These were: four focus groups from the College of Nursing with 12 Nurse Educators, and two focus groups from the Nursing Institute with seven Nurse Educators. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis.

Findings: The findings generated four themes: (1) Nursing support; (2) Education preparation; (3) Psychological wellbeing; and (4) Nursing professionalism, with each theme having its own subthemes.

Discussion and conclusion: This study is the first study in Kuwait aimed to understand Kuwaiti national NGRNs’ transition experiences from student nurse to Registered Nurse in clinical practice from the perspective of NGRNs, Nursing Directors and Nurse Educators. While the study revealed that Kuwaiti national NGRNs received limited organisational support, the nursing stakeholders along with policymakers in nursing education need to develop a plan to improve NGRNs’ knowledge and skills to align them with the roles and realities of actual nursing practice. Additionally, there is a need to change the societal image of nursing in Kuwait by highlighting the importance of the nursing profession within the health care team. The study recommends further research on NGRNs’ transition experience.

Date of Award	Jul 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Kuwait Civil Service Commission
Supervisor	Michael Brown (Supervisor) & Lynne Marsh (Supervisor)