The experience of marginalization in new nursing graduates

The conceptual history of marginalization is discussed, suggesting its use as a framework within which to understand some of the causal relationships between the high rate of attrition of new nursing graduates from professional nursing and the difficulties incurred during their transition from student to professionally practicing nurse.

Abstract

This article discusses the conceptual history of marginalization, suggesting its use as a framework within which to understand some of the causal relationships between the high rate of attrition of new nursing graduates from professional nursing and the difficulties incurred during their transition from student to professionally practicing nurse. The application of marginalization in this article focuses on the vulnerability and alienation that these newly graduated nurses experience during their introduction to acute-care practice. The article further suggests that they are both inadequately prepared by their undergraduate education to enter into the full scope of their new role as professional practitioners, and ineffectually orientated to an oppressive workplace culture that they are expected to sustain.