New Graduate Nurses’ Experiences of Engaging in a Leadership Role in Hospital Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
New graduate registered nurses are often expected to assume leadership roles and responsibilities quickly upon entering practice. Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, new nurses may find their leadership capabilities tested even further as the demands of leadership have been made increasingly complex in the context of an infectious disease outbreak. The purpose of this interpretive descriptive study was to explore new graduate registered nurses’ experiences of engaging in frontline leadership roles in hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 participants across Ontario. Content analysis revealed four main themes: nominated and necessitated into leadership, managing diverse and demanding responsibilities, a spectrum of factors that help or hinder, and reflecting on leadership as an impactful experience. Study findings provide insights into potential educational and organizational strategies to support new nurses in roles of frontline leadership, particularly during periods of crisis.