Experiences of newly appointed nurses adapting to Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Introduction: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a particularly demanding, complex, and psychologically burdensome environment, especially for newly appointed nurses. During their initial professional exposure to the ICU, new nurses often experience transitional shock accompanied by anxiety, insecurity and fear of failure. They are required to care for clinically unstable patients, perform demanding nursing interventions and manage advanced medical technology. Under these conditions, the adoption of a mentoring strategy becomes crucial for the smooth integration, support, and professional development of novice nurses.
Aim: To explore the lived experiences of newly appointed nurses in the ICU within the framework of the mentoring process.
Material and Method: The study followed a phenomenological design. Seven newly appointed ICU nurses from the General Hospital of Ioannina "Hatzikosta" were selected through criterion sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured open-ended interviews. The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, which led to the identification of key thematic units.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data analysis and categorisation: 1) The shift from enthusiasm to apprehension. 2) Cultivating authentic mentorship bonds. 3) Mentorship as a vehicle for accountability. 4) Fostering holistic professional growth.
Conclusions: Newly appointed ICU nurses experience intense feelings of fear and insecurity as they face demanding and stressful conditions. Implementing a structured mentoring process is essential during the initial period of integration into the unit, as it is expected to strengthen professional autonomy, self-confidence, and specialized knowledge of novice nurses. At the same time, it facilitates their social integration and gradual professional maturation. Institutional recognition of the mentor’s role through the definition of responsibilities, objective selection criteria, and appropriate training is proposed as a necessary prerequisite for the effective implementation of mentoring in the clinical setting.