How do the perceptions and expectations of 4, university prepared Australian new graduate nurses compare with the reality of practising as registered nurse clinicians in the first year of practice?

Abstract

In 1984, nursing education was officially transferred to the university environment in an attempt to upgrade seemingly inferior 'certificate' qualifications to degree standing. As a result, nursing students no longer have clinical role models, nor in the student phase of their evolution are they socialised to be nurses - rather they are socialised as students. The 'live' clinical environment has been to a great extent replaced with classroom simulated learning environments with lecturers who may not have had actual clinical experience in many years. This research captures the experiences of 4 new graduate Australian nurses, where senior nursing colleagues appoint blame to universities for the education of new graduate nurses who, though well prepared in theory, are unprepared for clinical practice. While the perceived lack of clinical skills of new graduates is a source of criticism by senior nurses, paradoxically there is evidence that senior nurses frequently abdicate responsibility for new graduates in terms of offering supervision, education and mentorship.