The Experiences of the Nursing Professional Development Practitioner on the Night Shift—A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The nursing shortage continues to grow and is expected to intensify in the near future. Health care organizations need to implement strategic ways to support nurses. First-year new graduate nurses have a high turnover rate. It is critical to have educational support on the night shift, where most new nurses begin their careers. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to gain insight into how nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners or nursing educators who work the night shift perceive their roles and explore their experiences. Limited literature exists on having NPD on the night shift, adding to the importance of this objective. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study, using 2 focus group interviews and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged: role confusion, belongingness and community, and job satisfaction. DISCUSSION: NPD practitioners are in a great position to build a sense of community and belonging among new graduate nurses, which may make the new nurses more successful within their health care institutions. Addressing potential barriers and fostering the positive aspects of the NPD role on the night shift may lead to better nursing retention.