The professional socialization of recently graduated nurses - Experiences of an introduction program

Nursing education entails a three-year program leading up to a Bachelor's degree. Recently graduated nurses lack theoretical as well as clinical skills, thus experiencing difficulties in taking on the professional role. Health care institutions have previously expressed great concern about the increase of theoretical focus at the cost of decreased clinical training and consequently employers presently offer introduction programs after the completion of the nursing education. The present study is part two of a larger study. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyze how recently graduated nurses are socialized into the profession. The research was conducted using an ethnographic approach and the empirical data was acquired by means of participant observations, interviews and field notes. The findings revealed that the staff questions the novices' nursing knowledge and strongly doubts their professional skills. In order for novices to attain member status at the clinical facility, they must constantly prove their professional ability. The findings showed furthermore that deviation by the novices from the norms and expectations associated with the professional role results in their becoming outsiders. Within nursing education the ideology of nursing is prominent, but within the profession the emphasis is on good occupational skills. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.