Abstract
Background: Given the widespread nursing shortages, prioritizing nurse recruitment and retention efforts is essential. Understanding the impact of new graduates' initial experiences on their decision to accept and remain in their roles is essential for educators, recruiters, and healthcare system administrators to gain valuable insights. Purpose: This study aimed to examine a national sample of new graduate nurses’ first job experiences through the lens of social capital. Theoretical Framework: Social capital (Bourdieu, 1986; Coleman, 1988; Putnam, 1994) asserts that social relationships create valuable networks that serve as resources to their members, extending reciprocal benefits for individuals and the organization, building trust, and fostering engagement. Social relationships in the workplace build human capital, an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experiences (Pil & Leana, 2009; Smylie & Hart, 1999). Method: Quantitative secondary analysis of the National Student Nurses’ Association membership survey data and qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses. Data were collected from October 2023 through January 2024, capturing graduates (n = 1,597) from the 2022-2023 academic year. Results: Significant relationships were found between variables related to the presence/absence of social capital and having a happy and healthy working environment. Significant differences in group means were identified in the length of time new nurses intended to stay in their positions. Main factors influencing nurses' decisions to accept a job were ranked. Conclusion: Enhancing structural, relational, and cognitive aspects of social capital in the workplace can contribute to a positive, healthy, and happy work environment. New graduates who were supported and working in a happy and healthy environment were more likely to remain in their positions longer. A well-structured nursing residency program could help improve retention rates. Nursing Implication: Understanding the impact of social capital on the recruitment and retention of nurses is essential for developing effective strategies to combat the nursing shortage and foster a positive work environment. Identifying factors contributing to a healthy workplace is crucial for prioritizing initiatives and allocating resources to ensure that nurses receive adequate support and feel prepared. Encouraging social interactions and relationships creates valuable networks to support the transition to practice.
Notes
References:
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Sigma Membership
Epsilon Kappa
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Mentoring, Coaching, Transition to Practice, Onboarding, Workforce
Recommended Citation
Inumerables, Faye Ari; Mannino, Jennifer Emilie; Lumley, Lisa A.; Williams, Kenya; Watters, Pamela; Joseph, Fadjana; Campbell-Taylor, Kimberly; Hahl, Jennifer; Leistner, Kathy; and Stevenson, Mary, "Social Capital in the Workplace for New Graduate Nurses: Maximizing Recruitment and Retention" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 56.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/56
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Social Capital in the Workplace for New Graduate Nurses: Maximizing Recruitment and Retention
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Background: Given the widespread nursing shortages, prioritizing nurse recruitment and retention efforts is essential. Understanding the impact of new graduates' initial experiences on their decision to accept and remain in their roles is essential for educators, recruiters, and healthcare system administrators to gain valuable insights. Purpose: This study aimed to examine a national sample of new graduate nurses’ first job experiences through the lens of social capital. Theoretical Framework: Social capital (Bourdieu, 1986; Coleman, 1988; Putnam, 1994) asserts that social relationships create valuable networks that serve as resources to their members, extending reciprocal benefits for individuals and the organization, building trust, and fostering engagement. Social relationships in the workplace build human capital, an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experiences (Pil & Leana, 2009; Smylie & Hart, 1999). Method: Quantitative secondary analysis of the National Student Nurses’ Association membership survey data and qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses. Data were collected from October 2023 through January 2024, capturing graduates (n = 1,597) from the 2022-2023 academic year. Results: Significant relationships were found between variables related to the presence/absence of social capital and having a happy and healthy working environment. Significant differences in group means were identified in the length of time new nurses intended to stay in their positions. Main factors influencing nurses' decisions to accept a job were ranked. Conclusion: Enhancing structural, relational, and cognitive aspects of social capital in the workplace can contribute to a positive, healthy, and happy work environment. New graduates who were supported and working in a happy and healthy environment were more likely to remain in their positions longer. A well-structured nursing residency program could help improve retention rates. Nursing Implication: Understanding the impact of social capital on the recruitment and retention of nurses is essential for developing effective strategies to combat the nursing shortage and foster a positive work environment. Identifying factors contributing to a healthy workplace is crucial for prioritizing initiatives and allocating resources to ensure that nurses receive adequate support and feel prepared. Encouraging social interactions and relationships creates valuable networks to support the transition to practice.
Description
Understanding nursing graduates' experiences and how these experiences shape their decisions regarding job acceptance and retention is essential. This study thoroughly investigates the initial job experiences of new graduate nurses nationally from the perspective of social capital theory. Employing quantitative secondary and qualitative content analyses, investigators discovered relationships between the presence or absence of social capital and establishing a healthy work environment.