Newly graduate nurses (NGN) transition between basic education and work in a complex health care practice, as well as their intention of leaving the profession during the first year of work and how this can be prevented, is a global concern. NGN experience difficulties integrating workplace environment, expectations, and educational experiences. This is an evaluation study of a one-year transition program, which was implemented as a project during 2016-17, at six hospitals in Sweden.

An explorative research design was used and data consist of focus group and individual interviews with NGNs, interviews with first-line managers, observations of simulation training, and survey material from the hospitals. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results show an overarching structure for all hospitals in the region, the NGNs are engaged in the following learning activities; introduction at the ward and a senior RN as preceptor, lectures and/or simulations, change of ward, process-oriented reflection seminars and mentorship.

The different learning activities contribute to the overall learning in different ways. Continuous supervision and structured reflection are central to NGNs professional learning. Organizational conditions create prerequisites for learning during the transition program and a change of ward is a particular challenge to get organized. The results, also provides a deeper understanding of the foundational components in NGNs early development of expertise, security as professionals, and essential knowledge for bridging the practices of the first cycle program and healthcare practice at hospitals.