Career Adaptability Among Novice Nurses

Abstract

Aim: To outline career adaptability among novice nurses.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 third-year nurses, whose responses were qualitatively and descriptively analyzed.

Results: The following themes were extracted from the data: “Felt the power of nursing and thought about my future career,” “Had a senior nurse whom I respected,” “Wanted to become independent as a nurse and as a member of society as soon as possible,” “Felt I had to fulfill my responsibilities as a nurse,” “Controlled my feelings to continue working,” “Valued building relationships with patients,” “Was conscious of grasping the key points of the work,” “Was conscious of learning actively and systematically,” “Was able to recognize my own growth,” “Did not want to be perceived as someone who could not do the job,” “Was conscious of building good human relationships,” and “Was able to recognize that the work environment was dependable.”

Conclusions: Career adaptability among novice nurses showed similarities with the concept of Career Construction Theory. By contrast, the responses highlighted a sense of security, which is not something that forms part of the existing theory.