New recruits’ choice in working in a relievers’ pool in an acute hospital

Abstract

Background: Newly qualified nurses often report of feeling unprepared for the nursing role which tends to lead to unwanted anxiety (Ong, 2015). Local studies have shown that Maltese nurses are not much different (D’Anastasi, 2017). Most of them are allocated to the state acute hospital where they work on day duties in a relievers’ pool, potentially changing wards every duty. They are then allocated more permanent posts which they can opt to refuse and opt instead to keep on working in the relievers’ pool. This study aimed to find out reasons for this decision since reliever duties have been shown to be more stressful. Aim: To gain an understanding of what newly graduated nurses’ experience in their initial months of professional life and highlight the factors that affect their decision to continue working in a relievers' pool. Design & Objective: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study design to aid in understanding the nurses’ point of view. Setting: The local acute general hospital. Participants: Eight reliever nurses who graduated in 2018 and/or 2019 agreed to participate in this study. The participants consisted of four males and four females, of ages ranging between 20 to 30 years. Method: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were carried out on a one-to-one basis between the researcher and the participants, following the necessary guidelines by the state due to the current pandemic of COVID-19. Results: Five themes emerged from the data: Psychological components, Work Environment, Sociological Factors, Flexibility, and General Feelings about Relieving Pool. Conclusion: This study concluded that even though there are some disadvantages of being in the relieving pool, the advantages outweigh them. These include flexibility, exposure to knowledge, and the availability to work day shifts.