Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Leslie Hussey

Abstract

Orientation is a pivotal moment for new graduate nurses as they transition into the acute care setting. The COVID-19 pandemic changed in-person orientation to virtual orientation, but little is known about the experiences of new graduate nurses who attended the virtual orientation process. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive descriptive study, guided by Duchscher’s theory and the technology adaptation model 2, was to understand the experiences of new graduate nurses who transitioned to practice utilizing video-based conference software for nursing orientation. Twelve new graduate nurses were interviewed using virtual conferencing software. Data were analyzed using interpretive description and then were uploaded into NVivo. The findings revealed five main themes: (a) transition to practice was difficult but manageable, (b) virtual orientation helped me learn, (c) strong connections were formed, (d) utilizing virtual conferencing software was challenging but helpful, and (e) virtual orientation was most helpful to learn theoretical knowledge, and in-person orientation was best to learn skills. Further research is needed to determine how virtual orientation can be modified to increase interactive learning experiences via virtual conferencing software, and how other healthcare facilities can utilize virtual orientation effectively. Understanding the experiences of new graduate nurses who used virtual conferencing software can facilitate positive social change by helping organizations improve their virtual orientation practices, improve orientation learning experiences for new graduate nurses, and decrease the theory-practice gap experienced by new graduate nurses.

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