Experiences of Second-Year Nurses Working at a Private Psychiatric Hospital: Needs for Continuous Vocational Support

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the experiences of second-year nurses working at a private psychiatric hospital. And we consider the provision of vocational support to facilitate continuous working for newly graduated nurses. Therefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews for six second-year nurses who were working at the hospital. The data were qualitatively and inductively analyzed.

Consequently, we found that the nurses experienced “heightened understanding of care,” “worried about difficult situation,” “support from coworkers, friends and family,” and “external support.” Because of such experiences, they continued working. However they ‘were anxious about physical nurse practices’ and ‘were not confident about their nursing practice skills’.

Based on these findings, we consider it necessary for second-year nurses to get support regarding aspects in which they don’t have confidence with their nursing practices skills.