Student to practitioner: a study of new graduate physiotherapist's transition to and preparedness to practice

A qualitative research methodology was employed. Graduates with less than two years’ clinical experience participated in individual semi- structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to describe patterns in the data, which was subsequently subjected to interpretation informed by the constructs of Schlossberg’s (1981) transition theory and framework.<br>Although, the graduates acknowledged that their pre-registration programmes had provided them with foundational skills to practice, the findings highlight the challenges and the difficulties they encountered post-graduation.

Data analysis revealed overlapping temporal stages, as students made the transition to physiotherapist over the first two years post-graduation. The early transition period was characterised by a high degree of anxiety regarding competence and performance. The value of undergraduate practice-based education in the form of clinical placements was highlighted by the new graduates in their preparation for clinical practice, however, they reflected on being sheltered from some areas of practice as students.

Effective workplace support was an important contribution to the success of the transition. The study also showed that inadequate staff levels and high workloads as sources of stress and moral distress for the graduates. This suggests that curricula should facilitate undergraduates with more authentic practice-based education and to be positioned in more patient-centred and decision-making roles.

Consideration should be given to the strategies that support the graduate in the workplace. Engagement from all stakeholders is crucial. Graduates may then feel more prepared as autonomous professionals in their early graduate positions.

This leads to better graduate outcomes and a smoother transition.<br>