First year here : a study of non-New Zealand-trained registered nurses in their first year of practice in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Anthropology at Massey University

Abstract

The aim of the research is to explore how non-New Zealand-trained Registered Nurses (RNs) perceive their transition experience, 0-12 months after commencing work in one of Auckland's public hospitals. As there is currently a shortage of RNs not only in New Zealand but worldwide, it is important to ensure New Zealand is a desirable destination for RNs to migrate to. The research illustrated that both non-New Zealand-trained RNs and also New Zealand RNs1 1 New Zealand RNs refers to New Zealand-trained RNs and RNs who have been working in New Zealand longer than 12 months, and are acculturated to Auckland's public hospitals. experience culture shock. The need for cultural competence to occur amongst nursing colleagues and the importance of good support systems in alleviating culture shock was highlighted by the interviews. The disciplines of both anthropology and psychology provide the theoretical base for the research, with particular reference to the constructs of culture and culture shock. The concept of culture shock has been used as a foundation from which to develop insight into the transition experience of the participants. Culture shock has also been utilised to assist in interpreting my observations and also the experiences of non-New Zealand-trained RNs in their first year of practice in public hospitals in Auckland, New Zealand. The body of data was analysed and codes generated from the data using a General Inductive Approach (Thomas, 2000). Critical social science provided the framework for analysing and identifying the factors underlying or contributing to the data resulting from the interviews with participants about their transition experience. Lastly, the findings of the research are discussed and the conclusion sets out the implications of these for both nursing and the transition experience of future non-New Zealand-trained RNs.