| Opis: | Theoretical Background: The shortage of healthcare personnel is one of the major
challenges facing modern healthcare systems. The transition from education or another job is
often demanding for newly hired registered nurses, as it brings greater responsibility, more
stress, and work in a new environment that requires rapid adaptation. During this period,
orientation, team integration, and quality mentoring are crucial, as they influence the
development of professional confidence, competence, and a sense of belonging in the
workplace. Inadequate onboarding can lead to uncertainty and errors on the job,
dissatisfaction, and employee turnover, while a well-planned and structured onboarding
process enhances work efficiency, patient safety, and overall employee satisfaction in the
workplace. The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of the immediate
integration of newly hired registered nurses into the nursing team.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using a semi-structured interview, which allows
for an in-depth understanding of individuals’ experiences and perceptions. In line with the
study’s objectives, we designed an interview guide consisting of two parts and containing 22
questions. The first part focused on the sociodemographic data of the interviewees (gender,
age, education, length of service, and length of service in the current position), while the
second part included questions related to the onboarding process for new hires, team
integration, sense of belonging, development of professional self-confidence, clinical
competence, and the role of mentoring.
Results: The study included a purposive sample of six newly hired registered nurses
employed at the Sevnica Health Center, each with up to three years of work experience in
their current position.
Results: The study results show that the practice of onboarding newly hired registered nurses
is often inconsistent and depends on work organization, staffing conditions, and support from
colleagues and mentors. Some study participants experienced a structured and gradual
onboarding process, while others reported learning primarily through on-the-job training and
their own initiative. Immediate integration into the nursing team proved to be a significant
factor in fostering a sense of belonging, which influences the well-being, motivation, and
success of new hires in adapting to their roles. Participants frequently reported initial
uncertainty and fear, which gradually diminished over time, with the accumulation of
experience and support from colleagues. Professional confidence developed gradually,
primarily through increased independence at work, positive experiences, and appropriate
guidance from mentors. Similarly, clinical competence developed through the integration of
theoretical knowledge with practice, repetition of procedures, and active involvement in the
work. Participants identified good team communication, support from colleagues, mentor
availability, gradual onboarding, and the opportunity to learn through practical work as key
factors for successful onboarding.
Discussion: The findings indicate that the onboarding of newly hired registered nurses in
clinical practice is often inconsistent and depends on work organization, support from
colleagues, and the quality of mentoring. Key factors for successful integration include a
sense of acceptance, belonging to the team, good communication, and the gradual assumption
of responsibilities and work tasks. The findings are consistent with the literature, which
emphasizes the importance of structured, evidence-based onboarding and high-quality
mentoring for greater worker and patient safety, competence, employee job satisfaction, and,
consequently, staff retention. |
|---|
