| Identifying the primary barriers that block initial employment of newly licensed nurses is essential to smooth transition to the workforce. Enrollment in nursing education has increased and schools have added programs, but newly licensed nurses struggle to gain initial employment. This qualitative e-Delphi study solicits feedback from nurse employers through a series of three surveys. The surveys were delivered and returned electronically. They were distributed to 33 volunteer nursing participants who are responsible for hiring and evaluating nurse performance in the workplace. The average response rate was 46%. The identified skill gaps in newly prepared nurses are communication, critical thinking, organization, and professionalism. These skill deficits result in delayed initial employability and prolonged orientation times. |
