Learning Objective #1: Describe common experiences, patterns, and meanings among newly licensed BSN nurses who are beginning nursing practice in acute-care settings

Learning Objective #2: Describe common experiences, patterns, and meanings of nurses licensed for five years or more who have stayed in acute-care practice areas

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New nurses seem unable to find a means of flourishing professionally in acute care practice, and consequently exit far earlier than expected. Historically nurses' career paths were notable for their longevity, but a career path today often means 5 years or less. As many as 60% of new graduate RNs leave their first job within the first year. Hospitals have been especially difficult to populate with nurses committed to building career longevity and expertise in highly complex and unpredictable acute care. The literature typically describes why nurses leave nursing, burnout characteristics, and the nursing shortage, but little appears in the literature about the process by which nurses create and adapt their own careers within settings that are demanding, ambiguous, and rife with interdisciplinary challenges. The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of nurses who have chosen to stay in acute care nursing. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the investigators sought to uncover common factors, practices, beliefs, and adaptations of acute care nurses that are perceived to promote professional resilience. Findings are presented thematically with implications for further research.