The early career resilience experience of generation Z newly graduated registered nurses in standardized training in the emergency department: a qualitative study in Shanghai

Abstract Background The period of standardized training is a transitional stage when Generation Z newly graduated registered nurses (Gen Z NGRNs) change their role from student to nurse. Affected by the COVID-19, they lack clinical practice and practicum experience in emergency departments in their university studies. At the beginning of career, they are under great pressure. Resilience is one of the factors that reduce their stress level and increases endurance. It is of interest to understand how this representative group of nurses gained and played the experience of resilience early in their careers. Objective To explore Gen Z NGRNs’ experience and process of resilience, to provide a new perspective and theoretical basis for psychological rehabilitation or intervention of medical staff who experienced transition shock. Methods This study employed a qualitative design based on the phenomenological approach. 18 nurses from a third-level class-A hospital in Shanghai who participated in standardized training in emergency department were enrolled using purposive sampling. Data collection was through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and continued until reaching data saturation. Results The investigation uncovered three themes and ten subthemes. Pressure and challenge contained high workload and high risk coexist, death’s stress response, more emergencies and high professional requirements. Coping and adaptation contained team help, psychological restructuring, peer support, transformational leadership. Reflection and planning contained enhance learning, appreciate life. Conclusions Our study described the embodiment and coping experience of the physical and mental stress faced by Gen Z NGRNs during their standardized training in the emergency department. It is emphasized that nurse educators should pay attention to the character and actual needs of Gen Z NGRNs, explore and formulate strategies, so as to guide NGRNs to quickly adapt and grow in the new role. The ultimate goal is to increase nurse retention and improve the quality of nursing.