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Aim. This study aimed to (1) describe the perceived level of role transition from education to practice of new graduate nurses in Oman and (2) explore the barriers to and enablers of a successful transition. Background. The transition from a familiar academic environment to becoming a professional nurse is stressful and challenging. Exploring the transition barriers and enablers is instrumental in designing an effective experience. However, studies exploring the transition experience from academia to practice among new graduate nurses working in Oman are limited. Design. This study used a mixed method research design. Methods. Data were collected from nurses working for no longer than two years. Role transition was assessed using the Casey‐Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey. Barriers to and enablers of transition were explored through a focus group interview. Results. The total sample consists of 405 nurses working in 13 public hospitals. The majority (68.89%) of the participants had worked as a nurse for less than 6 months. The average score of the comfort and confidence subscale was 2.96 (SD = 0.38). Findings showed that the amount of workload and unclear role expectations were the most frequent difficulties new graduate nurses were experiencing in their transition from a student to a staff nurse. Findings from focus group interviews revealed a number of barriers and enablers that affected the transition experience of the new graduates. The barriers were fear, insufficient academic preparation, bridging the knowledge‐practice gap, and limited nurse‐physician interactions. The enablers were teamwork, organizational support, and the internship phase. Conclusion. The findings illustrate the need for healthcare organizations to design effective internship programs to ensure a successful transition experience. Providing staff with preceptorship training and enhancing nurse‐physician communication are important strategies for creating a comfortable work environment and ultimately ensuring a successful training experience for new nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Oman, limited access to adequately prepared healthcare providers in primary healthcare threatens the provision of quality care to patients and families and access to healthcare services. Nurse practitioners (NP) are in an excellent position to address safety issues and ensure quality healthcare with their advanced nursing skills, knowledge, and acumen for acceptable cultural and religious practices. Aims: To explain Oman's national strategic plans, processes, challenges, opportunities, and both regional and global implications for the facilitation of NP role implementation and policies. Sources of evidence: The Nursing and Midwifery Human Resources framework guided the NP implementation project. Guided by the framework, the World Health Organization and the Omani Ministry of Health conducted multiple situational analyses (2004–2016). Later, the NP role was planned and implemented in Oman. During and after implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the NP role implementation were continuously conducted using multiple focus groups, individual interviews, and field visits. Discussion: The NP role implementation revealed multiple challenges and opportunities that either hinder or support NP role implementation. Additionally, the NP implementation project revealed various lessons learned. Implications for nursing and health policy: National and global nursing leaders and health policymakers should collaborate to discuss NP issues, especially NP role sustainability, legal approval and recognition, prescriptive authority, title protection, practice acts, and professional regulation. Conclusion: This paper informs nursing leaders and policymakers in the Middle East and other countries in the global community about Oman's experience regarding NP role implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the American with Disabilities Act in 1990 mandated that people with disabilities (PWDs) have equal access to facilities and services, men and women with disabilities continue to report receiving [...]