Experiences of Newly Graduated Nurses on Strategies of Gaining Self-Confidence During Their Initial Work: A Qualitative Study

Background: The presence of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) in clinical settings increases the rates of clinical errors and patient injury. In addition, the turnover rate for NGN staffs is significantly higher than the average turnover rate. Therefore, familiarizing NGNs with their workplace and increasing their professional self-confidence increase their empowerment and efficiency. Purpose: This article elicits the strategies used by NGNs to gain self-confidence during their early career. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the purposive sampling method and was based on the data saturation principle. Data were collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews from 30 NGNs working at teaching hospitals in four northwest provinces of Iran during 2012 and 2013. Data were collected by means of in-depth semistructured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The interviews elicited eight coping strategies that participants used to form self-confidence during the first 6 months of their career. These strategies included familiarity, knowledge enhancement, clinical skills learning, self-exploration, validation, responsibility, mutual interaction, and personal creativity. In addition, participants used these strategies to reinforce their self-confidence during their first 2 years at work. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The results of this research increase the understanding of NGNs, managers, and healthcare professionals regarding the strategies used by NGNs to gain self-confidence. This knowledge may be applied in programs designed to increase the empowerment and efficacy of nurses to improve the quality of patient care and reduce nurse turnover.