Does transition theory matter? : a descriptive study of a transition program in Australia based on Duchscher's Stages of Transition Theory and Transition Shock model

Objective: Explore the impact of transition program policy directives grounded in foundational elements of transition theory. Background: Within fast-track health service environments nurse leaders remain committed to improving transition programs that support wellbeing and retain new graduate nurses. Duchscher’s Stages of Transition Theory and Transition Shock model was the framework chosen by the health service nurse leaders to implement in the clinical environment, however, implementing elements can be problematic without sufficient support and clear policy directives. Study design and methods: Descriptive study using multiple methods in one major national health service that incorporates a number of private (eight) and public (four) hospitals across Australia. Online surveys were distributed to new graduate nurses at one, five and eleven months into the initial transition year. The survey tool was a synthesised adaptation of the Professional Role Transition Risk Assessment Instrument and Professional and Graduate Capability Framework. At the end of the transition year telephone interviews were conducted with the Nurse Managers who were responsible for implementing transition programs policies and processes. Resulting data were summarised using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and a thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: 158 new graduate nurses returned the online survey and eight Nurse Managers participated in the telephone interviews. As a whole the new graduate registered nurses described feeling accepted during their transition and expressed feeling comfortable when approaching senior staff. They managed challenges of shift work and took time for self-care. The clear majority (88%) of participants reported no plans to leave the profession. Nurse Managers were able, in most clinical areas, to apply transition program policy and directives and enable the implementation of Duchscher’s Stages of Transition as the framework for the transition support initiatives. Retention of new graduates on their wards at the end of the program was determined to be a positive outcome for Nurse Managers. Discussion: A carefully structured Graduate Nurse Transition Program founded on sound theoretically grounded ideology alongside integrated policy directives guided the Nurse Managers implementation of Duchscher’s Stages of Transition Theory and Transition Shock model into practice. Additionally, a dedicated Graduate Nurse Coordinator role with a manageable ratio of graduate nurses was an important component included in the transition program at each participating hospital as it facilitated support of both graduates and Nurse Managers. These positions should be costed into any Graduate Nurse Transition Program. An interesting finding was the consistency in smaller units that were unable to provide or mobilise preceptors for the required allocated mirrored shifts and it was felt this workload management issue impacted the success of graduate transition nurse programs on those units. Conclusions: Implementing policy directives grounded in foundational elements of Duchscher’s Stages of Transition theory and Transition Shock model delivered consistent experiences for new graduate nurses across one major health service that incorporates a number of hospitals across Australia. Data suggested some practical challenges to program implementation for Nurse Managers, including unit/ward size, staffing, and varying levels of understanding of preceptor roles. Implications for research, policy, practice: Introducing formal policy directives that are grounded in strong theoretical frameworks of professional role transition, agreed to and funded by health service nurse leaders are important in guiding a consistent approach across health services in the implementation of evidence-based Graduate Nurse Transition Programs.