International Journal of Nursing

Physical and Emotional Experiences of New Graduate Nurses in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Victor Kwame Kpatsi, Christiana Asiedu, Dorcas Frimpomaa Agyare

Abstract
Background: The practice readiness of new graduate nurses (NGNs) is a subject that generates lively conversation and conflicting perspectives amongst nurse clinicians, educators, and researchers in academia and clinical environment. The physical and emotional experiences of NGNs are grounded in the amount of energy they use in trying to perform in the roles expected of them. Objective: The study sought to explore the physical and emotional experiences of graduate nurses. Design A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used for this study involving twelve (12) new graduate nurses. Settings: The study was conducted in Suhum Government, St Martin, Atua Government, Asesewa Government, and Akuse Government Hospitals in the Eastern region of Ghana. Participants: twelve (12) newly graduated nurses participated in the study. They are made up of five (5) males and seven (7) females. The age ranged between twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) years. Methods: A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data. The interview was audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was done through thematic content analysis. Results: Two (2) major themes emerged after the data analysis. These are physical and emotional experiences. The findings of the study revealed that NGNs had to deal with numerous challenges such as lack of accommodation, lack of resources (both human and material), stressful workload, lack of support from the hospital management. Conclusion: The hospitals must put in place measures to ease the challenges NGNs go through during their initial stage of work by providing accommodation, and the needed resources required for work.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v11n1a1