The Weight of the First Year: The Impact of Negative Experiences for Early-Career Nurses and Midwives—A Long-Term Risk for Trauma, Burnout and Professional Attrition

Background: Early-career registered nurses and midwives often encounter intense stressors that affect their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. While some challenges serve as valuable learning opportunities, others are traumatic and burdensome. These negative experiences can profoundly influence ongoing professional development and, for some, act as a catalyst for burnout and premature departure from the profession. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study involved 51 registered nurses and midwives within their first three years of practice at an Australian hospital. The research aimed to identify the challenges faced by participants during their initial years and to explore how these experiences shaped their perceptions of ongoing practice. Results: Many participants in their second and third years of practice, who had difficult first-year experiences, described in detail the impact of their initial encounters on their formative nursing practice during the interviews. The challenges faced in the second and third years were often considered insignificant in comparison to the traumatic events of the first year. Some participants reported requiring long-term psychological support as a result of first year experiences and expressed uncertainty about continuing in the nursing profession. Conclusion: Ensuring that first-year experiences are positive, supportive, and rewarding is crucial for new nurses and midwives. When this period is marked by trauma, emotional distress can escalate, leading to burnout and an increased likelihood of professional attrition. Supporting graduates’ well-being and addressing their individual needs during these formative years is essential for workforce sustainability.