The gap between what students are taught to expect and what is
actually experienced in the early stages of work has been termed
"reality shock". This has been linked with the theory-practice gap eg
using manequins in labs compared to 'real' people in hospital. Need to
display evidence that critical thinking has been used with the issues
and identify concept of 'realtiy shock' may mean to impending nurse
graduates in Australia.

---

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 12 Aug 2003 07:40 PDT

I wonder what side of the theory working on, are you looking for proof
that nurse training is inadequate for "real" situations, or the
opposite? Or are you just looking for academic studies and analyses of
"reality shock" in new nurses?

---

Clarification of Question by tropical-ga on 14 Aug 2003 06:09 PDT

Yes I am just looking for academic studies, including research
articles and analyses of "reality shock" in new nurses? Thank you

Greetings Tropical,
There were a few websites with documents on the Australian nursing
scene mentioning reality shock, but I also saw a lot of articles from
websites in other countries. I will list them below.

Australian references:
Recent graduates: problems confronted in becoming a "socialised"
nurse: a literature review
http://www.clininfo.health.nsw.gov.au/hospolic/stvincents/1991/a08.html
- reality shock article

7.30 Report - 8/10/2002: Australias nursing crisis
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/s696450.htm
- Transcription of a discussion group of nurses, may show reality
shock at work in their experiences

Australian Faith Community Nurses Association Inc. - Response to the
National Review of Nursing Education
http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/nursing/sub/66.rtf
- has a section that says something on reality shock.

Project to Review and Examine Expectations of Beginning Registered
Nurses in the Workforce 1997 - PDF Document, University of Newcastle,
NSW
http://www.nursesreg.nsw.gov.au/exp_brns.pdf 
- Says that "reality shock" is something to reduce


General References:
NU 457 - Transitional Issues/Professional Development - course
outline, with a section on Reality Shock
http://www.muw.edu/nursing/tupelo/457Roletransition.htm

"Preparing Students for 'Real Life' Nursing" by 
Barbra Williams Cosentino, RN, CSW, Nursing Spectrum - Career Fitness
Online
http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=8908

Powerpoint presentation - Transition: From Student to RN Reality Shock
http://www.mscc.cc.tn.us/ftp/scompton/transition.ppt

Powerpoint presentation - Reality Shock
http://www.rsu.edu/faculty/LAndrews/Reality%20Shock,%20class%2011.ppt

Occupational stress in the newly qualified staff nurse - a study
conducted in the UK recording reactions of some nurses
http://www.nursing-standard.co.uk/archives/vol13-29/research.htm

Expectations of newly qualified nurses
http://www.nursing-standard.co.uk/archives/vol15-41/pdfs/p3338v15w41.pdf

The Millennium Nursing Shortage (Powerpoint Presentation)
http://www.ruralresource.org/documents/Nevidjon.CAHMgmt3.ppt 

New MICU nurse - allnurses.com - Nursing Discussion Board for Nurses
Archive
http://allnurses.com/forums/showthread/t-39185.html
- Forum thread that touches on reality shock

Nurses World Message Boards - Re: Real Nursing vs. Reality Shock?
http://www.nursesworld.com/showmsg.asp?recno=43&db=jobs

N65: Trends and Issues - Site with links to resources for nurses on
reality shock and stress
http://faculty.luther.edu/~carlsoco/N65.htm.htm

Medicine - perceptership - Essay from Studyarea.com
http://essay.studyarea.com/Old_Essay/medicine/perceptership.htm

Åsa Lindberg Sand - 1996 - has a dicussion of reality shock
http://www.ped.gu.se/biorn/phgraph/civil/graphica/diss.su/lindberg2.html

Beyond Precepting: Developing Mentor Skills - presented by nursCE.com
http://www.nursce.com/courses/1067/1067.htm
- has a discussion on reality shock


Without complete text:
UNIBE-Reality shock: why nurses leave nursing - Marlene Kramer's
landmark study - must be paid for to acquire
http://www.metabase.net/docs/unibe/03263.html


Google Search strings used:
reality shock new nurse/nurses
nurse "reality shock" 
australia nurse "reality shock"

I hope this answer has the articles you need. If you have any problem
with it, do please post a Request for Clarification and I shall
respond as soon as I can. Thank you.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by tropical-ga on 16 Aug 2003 00:08 PDT

Hello Techtor
Sorry, I really didn't make that clarification clear - I didn't just
want a list of sites but was after what would be considered an
academic study of the research articles that are available.
The sites look great and will also be very helpful.
My sincere apologies - I guess one should not wait until the power of
sleep is about to engulf one before getting on the net!!! My sincere
apologies.
Tropical

---

Clarification of Answer by techtor-ga on 16 Aug 2003 02:38 PDT

I have received your clarification request. I understand that you are
looking for studies or evaluations of the studies or articles about
nurse reality shock, is that correct? I'll go about and look for those
online then. But if I am unable to find any, would you be willing to
let my answer stand? Of course I would prefer that ;).

---

Request for Answer Clarification by tropical-ga on 17 Aug 2003 06:13 PDT

I need a brief definition of and discussion regarding the
'theory-practice gap' as it is described in the literature and a
discussion demonstrating a critical analysis of the concept of reality
shock as it might apply to the new graduate nurse.
Doesn't have to be a huge essay just some useful info.
Many thanks
Tropical

---

Request for Answer Clarification by tropical-ga on 17 Aug 2003 06:17 PDT

Sorry - the literature provided is fine so pls don't look for any more
[Just thought I may not have made that clear and you went off looking
for something else].
Cheers
Tropical

---

Clarification of Answer by techtor-ga on 17 Aug 2003 06:40 PDT

Ah, thank you, Tropical. I did try to look for something else, but if
what I gave suffice, I'm glad if they would work out for you. If still
have a problem with the answer, do tell me.

The articles provided were comprehensive and very helpful. Pls check
my other request as I am about to change the question and you might
like the $$ seeing it will be a bit easier.  Congratulations on a job
well done.
Tropical

This short paper seems relevant, and the list of references also useful.

http://www.contemporarynurse.com/9-2p103.htm

Thanks Westie, that is very helpful & a WA journal to boot!! Although
the Journal is 2000 the references are a bit older than I would have
liked but it is interesting that this indicates this problem has been
around for some time and yet doesn't seem to be improving. There is
hope and our year plans to welcome new grads and acknowledge their
fears and lack of clinical experience once we have been let loose on
the world. Cheers Tropic