Towards unpredictable - The anticipations of nursing students of the transition to a registered nurse

The aim of this study was to describe anticipations of graduating nursing students of the unpredictable transition to a registered nurse. The graduation can be stressful and challenging and nursing students feel insecure about their competence and ability to start the working life. A descriptive design was used with a modulated narrative method. 16 nursing students wrote narrative essays about their anticipations of the transition. The essays were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The anticipations of the transition can be divided into three main categories: fear and stress of competence, opportunity to learn new skills and orientation to the future. The results can be utilized both in the curriculum development of nursing degree programs and in mentor training programs. The study findings support the development of transition facilitating methods to the final clinical practicum.