Background

Newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals can experience stress and a perceived lack of competence when transitioning from academia to clinical practice, which can lead to health problems or leaving the profession. Globally, creating healthy workplaces remains a challenge. The aim of this study, which had a salutogenic approach, was to explore health-promoting resources and workplace experiences among newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals.

Methods

This multicenter cross-sectional study included Swedish healthcare and social work professionals in their second year after graduation, recruited from six universities. Data were collected in March 2023 via a self-reported, web-based survey using validated instruments: the salutogenically oriented 13-item Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale, the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), and the 32-item Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS), along with questions on health, well-being, lifestyle and social factors at work, including three from the General Nordic Questionnaire (QPSNordic). Data were analyzed in SPSS 28 with nonparametric tests and Spearman correlations.

Results

A total of 115 newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals completed the questionnaire. The results indicated that those who expressed they were sure to stay in the profession reported a higher total WEMS score (p < 0.001), as well as higher scores in five out of six dimensions: supportive working conditions (p < 0.001), internal work experience (p < 0.001), autonomy (p < 0.001), time experience (p = 0.006), and management (p = 0.029). Participants who rated their well-being as good scored higher in supportive working conditions (p = 0.025) and the change process (p = 0.008). Those living with children reported higher internal work experience scores (p = 0.019).

The results revealed positive and medium-strong to strong correlations between WEMS, SHIS, and SOC total scores. Specifically, there were medium-strong correlations between SHIS and SOC and two dimensions of WEMS: supportive working conditions and time experience, and between SHIS and the change process dimension.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of salutogenic resources in supporting newly graduated professionals. Factors such as supportive working conditions, autonomy, and internal work experience were linked to well-being and intention to stay in the profession. Understanding these factors can inform workplace interventions to promote retention and health in early career stages.