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The COVID‑19 pandemic has had a catastrophic and enduring impact on frontline nurses, contributing to burnout, stress, and widespread workforce disruption. This qualitative study used Thorne’s interpretive description methodology to explore the lived experiences of nursing students, new graduate nurses, and nurses who resigned within their first year of practice during the pandemic. Semi‑structured interviews were conducted across multiple US regions to understand how pandemic‑era educational and clinical experiences shaped perceptions of nursing, career trajectories, and readiness for practice. Six themes emerged: (1) the pandemic did not dissuade students from becoming nurses; (2) career trajectories were altered; (3) institutional and peer support were insufficient; (4) practical readiness was diminished; (5) rifts within the nursing workforce intensified; and (6) media shaped perceptions of nursing. Findings highlight the need for robust transition‑to‑practice structures, intentional mentoring, and leadership strategies to support early‑career nurses and mitigate workforce attrition. Implications for nurse leaders and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Rux et al. (2026) studied this question.