Introduction
Newly graduated nurses often experience certain challenges that may need attention from nurse managers and senior nurses to help them overcome. The freshly graduated nurses face a new set of workers and a workplace that has its own set of norms, culture, and rules and regulations, that the nurses must adapt to as soon as possible (reference). Besides learning the norms of the new workplace, new nurses must manage the task assigned to them. They manage the huge volume of theoretical learning into practice. Therefore, the adjustment period is often stressful. Nurse managers must be responsible and guide new nurses through the transition (reference). This paper discusses nurse managers and the four phases of work acclimation.
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Reality Shock
As indicated in the discussion above, new nurses never experience an easy transition, from being a student to a full-time worker. The new environment comes with a lot of challenges that need serious attention (reference). Reality shock can affect everyone regardless of one’s stage of career. It can happen with fresh graduates entering the workforce or with experienced employees transitioning into roles of increased responsibility. During reality shock, the new nurse may realize that the new job or position needs more responsibility, physical, or mental hardship than what the job description provided. In some instances, the new employee may find the company’s internal structure too difficult to understand or navigate (reference). There are four fundamental phases of reality shock; also called the phases of work acclimation.
Honeymoon stage
Graduates normally commence in the honeymoon phase. During this phase, new nurses feel confident in their academically acquired knowledge (reference). They often take a rose-colored view of their profession. The observable characteristics during the honeymoon phase include being idealistic about their professional role. They also become optimistic and are generally excited about getting a paying job and commencing their career journey (reference). The work is interesting and nurses enjoy caring for the patients.
Shock stage
This is usually the second phase, demarcated by emotional withdrawal, rejection, hostility, fatigue, and even illness in some people. During the shock stage, the new nurse begins to understand the incredible demands they never anticipated (reference). They even begin to think they had chosen the wrong profession. At the beginning of the shock phase, the graduate will demonstrate the above-mentioned emotions.
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Recovery stage
New graduates equipped with the tools to successfully navigate through the shock phase progress to the recovery phase. This phase of work acclimation is marked by reduced anxiety and increased coping ability (reference). Although the recovery stage may be still drowning, nurses will begin to feel slightly better and more confident. Their job performance improves and they see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Resolution stage
In this stage, the new has developed the needed perspectives and can realize that there are both positive and negative aspects of nursing, and have identified that positive ones outweigh the negative ones. According to (reference), the outcome of this stage can be either positive or negative based on the experience with the previous stages. It may result in either a successful transition to a confident and competent practitioner or burnout and a possible decision to leave the profession. Most nurses need about a year to arrive at this point. They become fully responsible members of the nursing profession.