The Experiences of New Nurse Graduates Working in a Nursing Resource Team

Abstract

Float nursing is generally not recommended for new nurse graduates yet they are and have been hired into float pools and resource teams. A qualitative descriptive study guided by transition theory was conducted to obtain the perspective of eight new nurse graduate participant experiences of working in a nursing resource team. Using content analysis, the data yielded three themes: New Nurse Graduate Transition, Being a New Nurse Graduate on a Nursing Resource Team, and Supportive Work Environments: Essential to Success. Transitioning is a reality for all new nurse graduates regardless of where they are employed. The participants identified several rewards and challenges to working in a nursing resource team and described their overall experience as positive. There is not enough evidence to either support or refute hiring new nurse graduates into float nursing. However the findings from this study provide implications for practice, education, organizational policy, and future research.