title: Second-degree prelicensure master's graduates and their transition to practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the transition-to-practice experience of second-degree prelicensure master's graduates.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Second-degree graduates are increasingly joining the nursing workforce. Scant empirical literature exists regarding this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a qualitative design, second-degree prelicensure master's graduates were interviewed 3 times through a 10-month period regarding their transition to practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants chose nursing positions based on their perceived ability to grow. Two strengths of the participants included their ability to think critically and to establish relationships. Participants expressed typical novice nurse concerns. Residency and intern programs enhanced their transition to practice. Participants perceived their interactions with the health team as positive, and graduates urged administrators to use their knowledge gained from previous degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings enhance understanding of how second-degree prelicensure master's graduates transition to practice. Understanding their transition is imperative if these graduates are to be recruited and used at their fullest potential. Such insights can also help nurse administrators better support these new hires during the transition process.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. moore@xavier.edu
authors.forename: Linda Weaver
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Cynthia W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*