ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026
Exploring the Development of Early Career Nurses: Insights 4 Years After Graduation.
Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- A Scoping Review of the Key Drivers That Impact Early-Career Nurses' Thriving at Work, Intention to Stay in Employment, and Nursing Profession.Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) · 2025Review
- Embracing Growth, Adaptability, Challenges, and Lifelong Learning: A Qualitative Study Examining the Lived Experience of Early Career Nurses.Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimTo explore how Early Career Nurses perceive their preparedness for nursing practice, the teaching and learning experiences, and the role of professional experience placements on their professional development.
designA qualitative study using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.
methodThe study involved 25 Early Career Nurses who participated in follow-up interviews 4 years post-graduation in Australia between 2022 and 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Analysis.
resultsThree key themes emerged: gaps in preparedness, the power of being embedded and too many balls to juggle. Participants indicated a mixed sense of preparedness with significant gaps in clinical skills. They emphasised the critical role of professional experience placements and mentorship to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Placements and mentorship opportunities were considered essential to develop confidence and competence for effective nursing practice.
conclusionThe study highlights the necessity for nursing curricula to address significant gaps in clinical skills, particularly in surgical and emergency nursing. By incorporating more simulation-based learning, interprofessional education and robust mentorship programmes, nursing education can better prepare graduates for the realities of clinical practice. These enhancements will help ease the transition from academic training to clinical practice, reducing reality shock and fostering a more confident, competent and resilient nursing workforce. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nursing education must integrate more simulation-based learning and interprofessional education opportunities, which are crucial for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that graduates are adequately prepared for the demands of clinical practice. Additionally, professional experience placements and mentorship should be prioritised to develop the confidence and competence for effective nursing practice. REPORTING
methodThis study adheres to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.