Retaining new graduate nurses in practice; under-pinning the theory of reciprocal role modelling with ‘routinisation’ theory and transition shock

This manuscript discusses two extant theories that are pertinent to retaining new graduate nurses in practice and applies the new theory of reciprocal role modelling to them. Transition shock was first postulated by Boychuk Duchscher, who theorised that the real life world of clinical practice was so far removed from a nurse’s educational preparation in College or University that it caused the attrition of some nurses from the profession. In addition, Chambliss described the process of routinisation into hospital life and nursing work in his book Beyond caring, which was the result of 15 years of ethnographic observation in a hospital. Some nurses never become routinised to nurses’ work. Both of these theories support the grounded theory of reciprocal role modelling, that describes how new graduate nurses are mentored by experienced practice nurses (EPNs) into general practice in New Zealand. Unexpectedly new graduate nurses become role models to the EPNs showing them how to access information and continuing professional development material using modern technology. Acknowledging transition shock and the concept of routinisation and providing an environment in health-care organisations where reciprocal role modelling can occur, may result in the retention of younger nurses in the workforce.