From threat to adaptation: Iranian Nurses' Experiences of Transition to Psychiatric setting

Background:Transition is usually associated with significant changes in goals, roles, and responsibilities.New nurses experience these changes in the transition to a professional role in psychiatric wards and there is little knowledge on this subject. nursing graduates face a lot of challenges when entering the workplace.Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore Iranian nurses' experiences of transition to a psychiatric setting.Method:The present study was conducted with a qualitative content analysis approach to 2016-19. 27 nurses from three psychiatric referral centers who had the experience of transition to the psychiatric ward were purposefully selected and interviewed and analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.Result: Major themes of transition among the nurses of psychiatric wards were included "Fear of the department and patients"," need to acquire knowledge" and " Experiencing a way to take care of yourself and the patient".Conclusion:This finding can be considered by nursing managers so that before nurses enter the psychiatric ward, they design and implement a workshop or codified program focusing on strengthening nurses' awareness and skills in dealing with patients and psychiatric ward conditions. This allows nurses to focus more and better on the quality of care.

Keywords:

Psychiatric nursing , qualitative research , Transitional Care.