Unmet Job Expectations and Transition Challenges of Newly Qualified Nurses in Northern Ghana.

Introduction: Practicing in a clinical setting as a student is not the same as that of qualified staff. A newly qualified nurse (NQN) naturally transitions from being a student to assuming full responsibility. This study aimed to assess experiences and challenges faced by newly qualified nurses in the northern region during their first year of professional practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving 384 NQNs. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were used to analyze demographic data, job expectations, transition experiences, challenges, and job satisfaction. Results: Most NQNs expected decent service conditions, including better salaries (58.1%) and staff accommodation (79.3%). A majority hoped to work in well-equipped hospitals (81.2%0 and with supportive colleagues and supervisors (77.9%). However, many reported unmet expectations, leading to moderate job dissatisfaction. Key challenges faced included lack of proper orientation (81.3%), heavy workload (68.0%), lack of confidence (64.1%), and mismatched role expectations (28.4%). Demographic characteristics of newly qualified nurses that demonstrated a significant association with job satisfaction included age (p = .04), departmental unit (p