The emerging nursing shortage of registered nurses (RNs) poses a threat to meeting the healthcare needs of the population throughout the world. The literature is rich in describing various factors that have contributed to the current and impending nursing shortage crisis. Given the shortage has multiple contributors(lack of individuals choosing to be RNs, nursing faculty shortages, increased workforce needs due to technology and the aging baby boom generation) the need to attract and retain nursing progessionals is of great concern.

This pilot study was a qualitative research study conducted in the central New York area as part of a course requirement at Syracuse University. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of new RNs working in acute care hospital settings. All of the informants were graduates of ADN education programs. with less than 3 years of RN work experience.

After obtaining IRB approval, 8 in-depth interviews were conducted. The focus of the interviews attempted to capture the informants perspective of the issues, challenges and rewards they had experienced as new RNs. Constant comparative analysis was used to code the data. Emerging themes consisted of stories supporting 'eating our young' (horizontal violence) and discouragement in their ability to provide the desired type and quality of care for their patients. Time constraints and heavy patient assignments, fear of a patient developing an emergent problem and lack of confidence in their skills when patient emergencies occured were common stories. Several reported both physical and emotional exhaustion from working long shifts and unaccustomed hours. Rewards such as helping a patient or family during a difficult time were reported as well. In all, new RNs seem to be struggling for survival in the workplace.

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