title: Transitioning from acute to primary health care nursing: an integrative review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper seeks to explore the transition experiences of acute care nurses entering employment in primary health care settings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Internationally the provision of care in primary health care settings is increasing. Nurses are moving from acute care settings to meet the growing demand for a primary health care workforce. While there is significant research relating to new graduate transition experiences, little is known about the transition experience from acute care into primary health care employment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrative review, guided by Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) approach, was undertaken. Following a systematic literature search eight studies met the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Papers which met the study criteria were identified and assessed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers were then subjected to methodological quality appraisal. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key themes within the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight papers met the selection criteria. All described nurses transitioning to either community or home nursing settings. Three themes were identified: (1) a conceptual understanding of transition, (2) role losses and gains and (3) barriers and enablers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a lack of research specifically exploring the transitioning of acute care nurses to primary health care settings. To better understand this process, and to support the growth of the primary health care workforce there is an urgent need for further well-designed research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an increasing demand for the employment of nurses in primary health care settings. To recruit experienced nurses it is logical that many nurses will transition into primary health care from employment in the acute sector. To optimise retention and enhance the transition experience of these nurses it is important to understand the transition experience.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8099-986X
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Halcomb
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D006801:Humans; D059017:Primary Care Nursing
keywords: literature review; nurse roles; nursing workforce; primary care; workforce issues