Characteristics of entry-level nurses: Does the NCLEX definition still apply?

Abstract

Background

During the initial licensure period, entry-level nurses face several challenges, such as providing complex care in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, prioritizing care, role actualization, and more. As the demands in healthcare continue to evolve, it is crucial to understand prevalent entry-level nursing characteristics and practice behaviors and their duration.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the length of time that entry-level nurse characteristics endure, thus describing the entry-level period.

Methods

Using a mixed-method design with a sample of 193 nurses, a 15-min presentation and discussion regarding the characteristics and practice behaviors of entry-level nurses was facilitated and followed by the administration of a one-question survey that asked, “Does the current NCLEX definition of an entry-level nurse, one with no more than 12 months of experience, still apply?”

Results

Of the 193 participants, 74 % responded “Yes” to the question, and 26 % responded “No.” Themes such as a perception of increased proportion of entry-level nurses working part-time/per diem, increased clinical demands, and the need for entry-level clinical judgment were noted during the sessions. While the participants represented a diverse group of nurses across the United States and Canada, the small sample size prohibits generalizability.

Conclusion

The study results indicate that the definition of an entry-level nurse as one with no more than 12 months of experience remains relevant. Nurse regulators must understand the importance of establishing a framework to define the nursing entry-level period, as this vital time frame creates a basis for licensure assessment and support during the new licensure period.