Coming ready or not! An integrative review examining new graduate nurses' transition in acute care.

AIMS: To synthesize the scientific evidence about new graduate nurses' transition to practice in the acute care setting and consider implications for nurses and nursing practice.

BACKGROUND: Despite the vast amount of literature on new graduate nurses' transition to practice, the transition of new graduate nurses is a global issue and remains at the forefront of discussions within the nursing community.

DESIGN: An integrative review.

REVIEW METHODS: A search of evidence-based research from seven electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Cochrane, JBI, Wiley, and Scopus) was conducted for the period of 2006-2016. Eligible articles were critically reviewed and scored using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

RESULTS: Twenty-six articles were reviewed, which included 19 qualitative, five quantitative, and two mixed methods studies. "The Experiences" are described in three themes: Dominated by fear but feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction; Reality vs Idealism; and Adjusting to nursing life. "The Factors" are described under three themes: Personal, Professional, and Organizational.

CONCLUSION: The transition experience of new graduate nurses is complex and multidimensional and highlights that "it takes a village" to grow and support new graduate nurses.