Workplace Readiness of New ICU Nurses: A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

Background Intensive Care Units ICUs are hiring large groups of new nurse graduates without providing these new hires with the training to promote competency Objectives The purpose of the study was to explain workplace readiness of new graduates entering the ICU from the perspectives of managers clinical educators preceptors and new RN graduates Method Grounded theory was the qualitative approach used with this study A total of 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with managers educators preceptors and new graduates in ICUs Results The Novice Nurse Embracing the ICU theory NNEIT emerged from the following four themes a embracing the new ICU role b overwhelming experience of performance ambiguity or anxiety c adapting to the ICU and d embodying the new ICU RN role Conclusions The theory that emerged from the study will provide guidance in resolving the discourse of the competencies and skills for new nurses entering the ICU