Reality shock, why nurses leave nursing / Marlene Kramer.

Includes bibliographies.

The seeds of discontent -- A search for a way out -- The anticipatory socialization program -- Effects of the anticipatory socialization program -- Postgraduate nurse socialization: an emergency theory -- Reality testing a reality shock program / Patricia Benner -- The end of the journey-or the beginning?

'Reality shock theorises that those new to the nursing profession go through a learning and growing transition. This process is characterised by four phases: honeymoon, shock, recovery, and resolution. The honeymoon phase is a period of excitement and seeing the world through ‘rose coloured glasses,’ new graduates are very excited to be joining the profession and eager to learn as much as possible. The new nurse is the most vulnerable when in the second phase, the shock phase, as this is when negative feelings towards their new profession surfaces. This is often when the new nurse realises the expectation of the new role is inconsistent with the day-to-day responsibilities and new job responsibilities sink in. When the nurse is in a negative state, they are at risk to quit, leave their unit, or burn out. Next is the recovery phase; new nurses begin an upward climb back to the positive side. They are able to look at all sides and see the job realities with a more open perspective. The fourth and final stage, which is usually around a year, is the resolution phase. This is when the nurse can see the role in perspective and fully contributes to the profession.' - Kaylie Guinan