Evaluation of the transition-to-practice arrangements for novice perioperative nurses: Protocol for a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Transitioning into the first year of clinical practice as a nurse or changing specialties in the nursing career presents a critical phase for novice nurses characterized by excitement, apprehension, and the phenomenon of "transition shock." Within perioperative nursing, this transition phase takes on distinctive challenges. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on transition programs and arrangements. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the current transition-to-practice (TTP) arrangements available to new graduate and novice nurses within Australian perioperative nursing settings. METHODS: This study uses an exploratory mixed-method, multilevel triangulation with a sequential phase design to address 4 research questions. Phases 1 to 3 will use document analysis, surveys, and semistructured interviews to establish the findings of the research questions. Phase 4 will use meta-inference and triangulation to aggregate and analyze the data from all preceding phases. These findings will be the foundation for developing a framework to inform future TTP arrangements. This robust framework will embed empirical evidence, existing literature, and sound learning and teaching pedagogy. Results emerging from this study will be reported using the Good Reporting of Mixed Methods Study guidelines. RESULTS: This project received approval in June 2023. Following this, Human Research Ethics Committee approval was sought for phases 1 and 2, and recruitment began. As of August 2024, phase 1 has collected 50 responses and phase 2 has collected 69 responses. Data collection for phase 3 is projected to commence in May 2025 once data from phases 1 and 2 have been analyzed. Phase 4 is projected to occur in 2026. Each phase is anticipated to have a results manuscript submitted for publication once data are analyzed and written up. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study will provide an in-depth exploration of TTP arrangements within perioperative nursing in Australia and provide a framework to guide the future development of TTP arrangements. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registries osf.io/zm432; https://osf.io/54s36. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/64970.