The learning process of recently graduated nurses in professional situations - Experiences of an introduction program

An increased theoretical focus and decreased clinical training have resulted in sharp criticism from health care institutions of the content of the nursing education program. As a consequence of this criticism, employers offer introduction programs to recently graduated nurses after they have completed their nursing education. This study is part one of a larger research study. The aim of the present study was to analyze and describe how recently graduated nurses learn at the place of work and how they seek a meaning in their encounter with that environment. The research method was ethnographic, and the empirical material was based upon data from participant observations, interviews and field notes. The results disclosed that workplaces using the master-apprentice system as a model for supervising recently graduated nurses during the introduction program. The results also showed that the novices have acquired theoretical knowledge and know what action to take, but may have trouble assessing which part of their knowledge to use. The introduction program constitutes an obstacle in the professional development of the novices. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.