A Study of the Interplay between New Graduate Life Experience, Context, and the Experience of Stress in the Workplace: Exploring Factors towards Self-Actualizing as a Novice Nurse

dc.contributor.advisorGroen, Janet
dc.contributor.authorDames, Shannon Suzanne
dc.contributor.committeememberRaffin Bouchal, Shelley
dc.contributor.committeememberKawalilak, Colleen A.
dc.date2018-06
dc.date.accessioned2018-04-19T19:50:59Z
dc.date.available2018-04-19T19:50:59Z
dc.date.issued2018-04-17
dc.description.abstractProlonged levels of stress and feelings of insecurity in new graduate registered nurse work environments are an expected part of the transition experience, yet we continue to see high rates of emotional exhaustion leading to burnout. There is a significant amount of literature on the sources of new graduate stress. However, research is lacking regarding what makes one nurse more vulnerable than another within similar work environments. This qualitative study explored the interplay of life experiences that enable and disable eight new graduate nurses from engaging in the process of self-actualization or thriving. Three prominent themes emerged as significant factors that influence the new graduates’ ability to engage in self-actualization. Developmental factors were significant in the capacity to manage workplace stressors and included congruence from their childhood experience or time in their young adult life where they engaged in relationships that provided unconditional positive regard, the habitual practice of self-compassion, and the ability to resolve areas of moral and ethical dissonance. Biological factors also buffered the experience of stress in the field, which included age and having a personality suited to their nursing role. Finally, contextual factors included having a trusted mentor at work, feelings of meaning and purpose within another life role, threats of emotional and physical violence in the workplace, workloads that took novice inefficiencies into account, limiting redeployment, and work schedules that allowed for adequate rest between sets. These insights inform nursing curriculum and transition programs by deepening the understanding of the interplay between previous and current contexts and the experience of stressors that are endemic in the workplace.en_US
dc.identifier.citationDames, S. S. (2018). A study of the interplay between new graduate life experience, context, and the experience of stress in the workplace: Exploring factors towards self-actualizing as a novice nurse (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/31803en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/31803
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/106516
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.facultyWerklund School of Education
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectNovice nurses
dc.subjectnew graduate nurses
dc.subjectthriving
dc.subjectinterplay
dc.subjectself-actualization
dc.subjecttransition support
dc.subjectburnout
dc.subjectresilience
dc.subject.classificationNursingen_US
dc.titleA Study of the Interplay between New Graduate Life Experience, Context, and the Experience of Stress in the Workplace: Exploring Factors towards Self-Actualizing as a Novice Nurse
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEducational Research
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Education (EdD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.checklistI confirm that I have submitted all of the required forms to Faculty of Graduate Studies.en_US
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