title: A study examining senior nursing students' expectations of work and the workforce.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science nursing students' expectations of nursing work and the workforce.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Role transition difficulty is blamed for much of the 15-60% newly licensed registered nurse turnover in their first 3 years of employment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study consisted of 14 focus groups (n = 98) to determine Bachelor of Science nursing students' expectations of work as newly licensed registered nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two overriding themes for accelerated and traditional students emerged: stressors and coping strategies. Students believe four stressors will affect their progression into the newly licensed registered nurse role and have developed coping strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that students have experienced stressors in the clinical environment and anticipate them in the newly licensed registered nurse role. During transition, strategies such as 'fitting in' and 'staying safe' will be employed to ensure work success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Younger generations value a healthy work-life balance and a positive working environment. These nurses will not tolerate positions that do not align with their values. With the aging of citizens in the USA and the predicted nursing shortage, nursing management needs to employ strategies to retain newly licensed registered nurses.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL, USA.|The University of Miami Hospital, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Saber
authors.affiliation: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anglade
authors.affiliation: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lori M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schirle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D000072358:Work-Life Balance
keywords: expectations; qualitative research; student nurses; transition