The lived experience of new graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) who worked in the adult medical-surgical units (MSUS) of acute care hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: To understand the experiences of NGRNs who cared for COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Results: The analysis of eight interviews yielded 192 initial coded, which were refined using the Gadamerian hermeneutic circle into 23 categories and five themes: Being a nurse with a purpose, Heavy workload was a norm, Daily uncertainties were real, Ongoing learning despite inadequate information, and Finding ways to adapt to disruptions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the challenges faced by NGRNs during their transition to clinical practice but also strengthened their appreciation for nursing. Proper training and support can better equip NGRNs to handle future challenges in the profession.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing Science

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Casia, Pamela Frank

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Liu, Fuqin
• Richmond, Misty

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Adams, Carin

• New graduate registered nurses
• Medical-surgical unit
• Acute care hospital
• COVID-19
• Pandemic
• Transition to practice
• Gadamerian hermeneutic circle
• Hermeneutic phenomenology

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/17127

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/17127