The influencing factors of newly employed nurses' adaptation in Malaysia: a structural equation modelling assessment

BACKGROUND: Graduate nurses commonly experience the transition phase and are required to adapt quickly to their new workplace, as it is a prerequisite for a successful transition. However, workplace adaptation is extremely challenging and may affect nurses' future career prospects if not managed properly. Therefore, we aimed to determine the factors that facilitate newly employed nurses' adaptation and integration at Ministry of Health (MOH)-run state hospitals in Malaysia. The study framework was derived and adapted from the Roy adaptation model and organisational socialisation theories.

METHODS: This quantitative study was conducted from May 2021 to December 2021. The sample population was newly employed nurses working at state hospitals with 1-2 years of service experience. This study involved 496 newly hired nurses from MOH state hospitals. Questionnaires were distributed through Google Forms. The data were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

RESULTS: The participants perceived that workplace organisation (OC), academic institution contribution (AIC), and new nurse's personality traits (PT) contributed approximately 36% to newly employed nurses' adaptation (NENA). PT partially mediated the relationship between OC and NENA and between AIC and NENA.

CONCLUSIONS: The results could be useful to nursing authorities. We also recommend that a nurse's personality be developed, emphasised, and enhanced through continuous programmes or training to ensure that they can easily adapt to their new working environment. Furthermore, academic institution and work organisation collaboration should be encouraged to develop improvement cycles that facilitate newly employed nurses' prompt and efficient adaptation at MOH hospitals during transition.