Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Miscellaneous Research Critique of 8220New Graduates8217 Perceptions of Research Critique of 8220New Graduates8217 Perceptions of Research Critique of “New Graduates’ Perceptions of The article involved in this research critique focuses on the “stresses and challenges experienced by graduate nurses in clinical practice during their initial orientation period and examines the relationship of social support to these stresses” (Oermann, 1997). The critiquing of this article will address the purpose of the article, the design of the research, the presentation of the findings in the study and the significance of this research to the nursing profession. Also, the researcher’s approach to the study and the potential benefits of this study to nursing will be focused on as well. The purpose of this article is clearly articulated in first two paragraphs. First, the researcher uses examples of past studies that focus on the stressful aspects of clinical experiences but stated that no studies had really focused on the initial clinical experience. The researcher applies the topic of research to the nursing profession in stating that “excessive and unrelieved stress may influence job satisfaction and contribute to turnover” (Oermann, 1997). There is a definite and clearly stated focus for the research, and it is clear that the research can be carried out as well as be reported. However, the problem statement does not indicate what the researcher hopes to accomplish with the study. The methodology and research design, are both well defined and effectively convey the details of the research. When stating the sample of the study, the researcher is detailed and descriptive of the types of people used. The number of volunteers, their locations, their area of clinical practice, time worked as a nurse, gender, and type of degree earned all are stated in the article. This allows readers to get a definitive idea of what the sample is like, which is very important in this study. Since the focus is on the volunteers’ experiences in the new clinical setting, it is essential to have significant information on them. The researcher was very thorough in reporting the types of instruments used in the study, which include a demographic data sheet, a social support instrument, and a modified Pagana Clinical Stress Questionnaire. Each of the three instruments are well defined and described. It is evident that the researcher has tested each instrument and is familiar with it. Also the researcher describes how the instruments were distributed to the volunteers via a contact person at each hospital, which gives the reader a better picture of how the study was carried out. The results presented are readily understood and are applied to the research question. The data is applied and interpreted in accordance with the scales and instruments used. Types of stresses are listed according to ranking order of severity and other stresses are listed as well. This allows readers to get an idea of what stresses are affecting the subjects and also to what degree they are affected by these stresses. A chart is included that depicts the positive and negative emotions the subjects experienced in orientation along with the mean score and standard deviation. This chart clearly outlines the data for readers and is very simple to understand. The best aspect of the researcher’s presentation of the findings is the fact that each piece of data is related and interpreted for the reader. The researcher’s words are backed up with numbers to provide evidence for the conclusions made. Each of the three research questions was addressed fully and completely. From this article, readers can see that new graduates experienced a moderate amount of stress as well as what factors contributed to this stress. Members of the sample are treated as individuals, and this fact is taken into consideration in the research. The researcher uses the information to assist preceptors in orientating the new graduates with the intent to alleviate as much stress as possible. The stresses listed by the volunteers in the study are each addressed with suggestions as to how preceptors might assist in lessening these stresses. Not only are the negative findings of the study that should be fixed in the future pointed out, but the positive aspects of the present system are noted as well. This provides preceptors with an idea of what they are doing correctly and what they need to improve on. Nursing can greatly benefit from this research because it is assisting the new members of the profession. By improving the new graduates and helping them become the best they can possibly be, the future of the profession is secured. By understanding what stresses young nurses cope with, solutions for dealing with these stresses can be found. With the happiness and well being of the nurses in optimum condition, the nurses can focus more on the patients than themselves. This improves patient care as well, since the nurse is not distracted by personal stresses. Overall, the findings of this research are highly beneficial to the nursing profession. Bibliography: Word Count: 816
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