Challenges and difficulties faced by nurses atthe beginning of their career

Abstract

During their training, a great number of nursing students idealize the way they are going to stand out before the nursing staff and how they are going to be recognized professionally. It is however at the beginning of their professional career that the problems a rise. The research purpose was to identify the difficulties faced by nurses in their first professional experience and to recognize how they overcome such difficulties. The study was carried out in a Private Nursing School located in the Northwest of the State of Paraná with the nursing teachers of that institution. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach of the type opinion poll. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed ended questions. The research demonstrated that a great number of nurses had problems such as: insecurity, lack of practice, difficulties with the hospital administration and leadership. According to the interviewees these difficulties could be overcome by daily professional practice, constant study, and the advice and help from more experienced professionals. We concluded that the graduation courses and apprenticeships carried out during the formal nursing education course do not fully prepare the nursing students to the world of work. The recently graduate nurse cannot be considered a finished product; he/she needs training and incentive to carry out his/her duties