Appraising differential capabilities of new graduate nurses: Development across the first nine months of employment

Background: Effective transition to practice for new graduate nurses (NGNs) is of national and international concern. Development of NGNs expands well beyond higher education studies and relies heavily on support during their first year of employment. Little is known of the differential development of NGNs, namely the trajectory of developing capability. 

Aim: This study differentiates NGN development during their first year of employment through appraisal of universal domains of nursing practice relevant to the international community. 

Methods: Using a quantitative evaluation design NGN performance was appraised at 1–, 3–, and 9–months from February 2020 to November 2021, using a 23-item appraisal tool and accompanying behavioural cues organised around four universal domains of practice: professional values and behaviours; comprehensive nursing practice; organisational capabilities; personal growth and development; and a fifth domain specific to Australia, that is, legislative requirements. Workplace performance was appraised by clinical supervisors and numerically rated according to intensity of coaching required to meet requisite standards of practice. 

Results: The shift in rating scores of intensity of coaching required, over three time periods across four key universal domains, were statistically significant (p < .001). These findings which indicate the intensity of required coaching for maintenance of standards reduced over the time period suggest advancing NGN capability. The domain representing professional values consistently rated the highest. The domain denoting legislative requirements largely flattened after three months. 

Conclusion: These findings corroborate the significant development of NGN capability during the first nine months of employment, especially during the initial three months. Furthermore, they provide empirical evidence that NGNs are most adept at demonstrating professional values; a recognised capability developed through employment during pre-registration studies. Discriminant data is of value to inform both targeted development of individual NGNs and when collated, the education needs of cohorts.