Developing and validating the transition status scale for newly graduated nurses in China

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Transition Status Scale for Newly Graduated Nurses.

Methods: Three phases were conducted: Phase I involved a qualitative research to explore and establish the potential items pool; Phase II reduced the items using the item analysis with a sample of 73 nurses. Phase III evaluated the psychometric properties of the final scale. Data from 814 valid questionnaires were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results: Five factors, including 'Interpersonal integration', 'Profession-related positive emotion', 'Competence for nursing work', and 'Active coping strategies', 'Balance between work and life', accounted for 68.87% of total variance. Cronbach's α was 0.891. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable model fitness.

Conclusions: The Transition Status Scale for Newly Graduated Nurses has good psychometric properties. It can be used to measure the transition status conveniently and effectively.

Implications for nursing management: The assessment result with the Transition Status Scale for Newly Graduated Nurses can provide information about the transition status of new nurses, thereby providing reference to guide the specific nursing interventions to smooth the transition process. It can also work as an alternative instrument to compare the effectiveness of different transition programs.

Keywords: instrument development; newly graduated nurses; psychometric validation; transition.