Date of Publication :8th October 2024

Abstract:With the delays in the nurse licensure examination and the disruptions related to work upon employment, new registered nurses began to question their competencies whether they could practice professional nursing with competence and confidence. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed to recount the transitional experiences of new registered nurses. Combined purposive and snowball sampling techniques in selecting qualified participants who passed the nursing licensure examination in 2021. Meanwhile, awritten interview was conducted with 15 participants, and the collected data was treated using thematic analysis. The following themes emerged in the analysis of the data: (1) constraints and limitations in the clinical preparations during baccalaureate undertaking; (2) pandemic-challenged in clinical nursing practice; and (3) coping mechanisms in facing the pandemic-induced transitional events during actual clinical nursing practice. Generally, feelings of uncertainty and professional inadequacy transpired among the new registered nurses. Considerably, nursing theory-based interventions must be developed and facilitated to enhance the overall well-being of new registered nurses as they embark on their professional nursing practice amidst the pandemic. Likewise, both hard and soft skills reinforcement programs must be fostered to nurture and aid new registered nurses to practice professional nursing with more competence.

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