Navigating transitions: a qualitative study of nursing teams’ experiences of educational and cultural transitions in Germany

Abstract Background The global migration of health professionals in general and nurses in particular, has led to nursing shortages and socioeconomic impacts on health systems in both source and destination countries. Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that the nursing profession itself is evolving from a vocational to an academic one. Although nursing migration and academization have been studied from either an institutional or an individual perspective, there is a gap in the literature regarding how nursing teams experience these transitions. This study aims to explore how nursing teams navigate through the transitions of academization and internationalization of the current dynamic nursing landscape in Germany. Methods Based on social constructivism epistemology this qualitative study involved face-to-face focus group discussions conducted at several hospital sites in Germany from September 2021 to May 2023. The focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis; the four dimensions of transition theory according to Schlossberg’s Four S (4 S) framework (self, situation, support, and strategy) were used as a priori items to construct the coding framework. Results Nine focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 40 nurses from different educational and migrant backgrounds. The analysis showed that the transition experiences of the nursing teams were heterogeneous, with educational and national backgrounds playing an important role in how realistic their expectations of their professional roles and identities were. The dynamic situation characterized by a shortage of qualified nursing staff, increases the pressure on nursing teams and underscores the importance of employer-provided and peer support. Onboarding and communication are key strategies used depending on the duration of the employee turnover. Conclusion This study provides insights into the challenges and coping strategies of nursing teams in the current dynamic scene of migration, academicization and professional socialisation in Germany. Extending the Schlossberg 4 S framework from the individual to the team perspective provides a comprehensive view of the transitional experiences of nursing teams. Within each domain of the framework, the experiences of nursing teams are remarkably diverse. Educational background (vocational or academic) and origin (German or foreign trained) play an important role in shaping the transitional experiences of nursing teams.