Purpose
This study aims to find ways to reduce the reality shock of newly graduated nurses by exploring the relationship between nursing practice readiness, social support from clinical nurse educators, and reality shock.
Methods
From August 24 to September 13, 2023, data were collected from 134 newly graduated nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience, who were trained by clinical nurse educators at one general hospital and two tertiary hospitals in I City and G Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 28.0 program.
Results
Reality shock was negatively correlated with nursing practice readiness (r=-.50, p<.001) and social support (r=-.19, p=.03), while nursing practice readiness was positively correlated with social support (r=.37, p<.001). Nursing practice readiness was identified as a significant predictor of reality shock in newly graduated nurses (β=-.46, p<.001), accounting for 31% of the variance in reality shock (F=18.82, p<.001).
Conclusion
To alleviate the reality shock of newly graduated nurses, it is important to improve their practice readiness and ensure systematic, continuous education for clinical nurse educators.