Awatif Alrasheeday
University of Salford- Manchester, UK
Title: A lost human resources, the experience of new graduate nurses in Saudi Arabia
Biography
Biography: Awatif Alrasheeday
Abstract
Background: Although there is much written about the experiences of newly qualified nurses, this tends to focus on those working in westernised cultures. Less research attention has been paid the experiences of NGN (new graduate
nurses) in eastern countries.
Objectives: This study explored, described and interprets the experience of NGNs at one hospital in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. All were in the initial 6 months of their first posts since entering the nursing workforce.
Method: A qualitative case study, informed by ethnographic methods was chosen to conduct the study.
Participants and Sampling: purposive sampling was used to recruit a total of 9 NGNs and 5 senior nurses.
Data collection: Data collection consisted of over 100 hours of fieldwork observations with formal and informal conversations. This data informed one-to-one focused interviews with the participants.
Data Analysis: Data was analyzed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (2006) to enable indepth insight into what was going on and develop a coherent synthesis of the case.
Findings: This work highlights the struggle and challenges that NGNs face in the context of Saudi culture and the drive to modernize the Saudi nursing workforce. The NGNs feel and are treated differently as they struggle to find
their place in the structures that frame their working lives.