{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,2]],"date-time":"2026-09-02T07:13:12Z","timestamp":1788333192804,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788220800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788220800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Int J Mental Health Nurs"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Persistent challenges remain in attracting and retaining early\u2010in\u2010career mental health nurses in Australia. Key contributing factors include gaps in undergraduate nursing preparation, with many students reporting insufficient mental health placement experience to inform career choice. Health services have responded to recognised gaps between undergraduate preparation and the realities of clinical practice by developing structured early\u2010in\u2010career programs, such as graduate nurse and transition\u2010to\u2010practice initiatives. These programs combine supported clinical exposure, targeted education and mentorship to consolidate core skills. However, early\u2010in\u2010career mental health nursing practice often occurs within unpredictable and complex environments that can be hostile and emotionally demanding, compounding stress for recently graduated nurses. This study aimed to explore early\u2010in\u2010career mental health nurses' experiences of (1) workplace readiness, (2) wellbeing and (3) preparedness for practice. Using a qualitative descriptive design, we recruited 12 early\u2010in\u2010career mental health nurses from a tertiary hospital in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Semi\u2010structured interviews were thematically analysed according to Braun and Clarkes methodology. From analysis, four themes were identified: (1) Feeling ready, becoming ready; (2) Finding the right fit; (3) Practising under pressure; and (4) Organisational influences on readiness. This study provides important insights into early\u2010in\u2010career nursing experiences, highlighting the role of placement quality, exposure to workplace violence and organisational support in shaping preparedness and workforce retention. Variability in placement experiences contributed to misaligned expectations and heightened transition challenges. Findings also underscore occupational violence perpetrated by consumers and their family members highlighting the need for targeted preparation during undergraduate education and early career transition, as well as organisational responses to support safe workplaces.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.70340","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,2]],"date-time":"2026-09-02T06:17:54Z","timestamp":1788329874000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["From Classroom to Chaos: The Early\u2010in\u2010Career Mental Health Nursing Experience. A Qualitative Descriptive Study"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"35","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1686-1476","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Louise","family":"Alexander","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing &amp; Midwifery Deakin University  Burwood Australia"},{"name":"Institute for Health Transformation Deakin University  Geelong Australia"},{"name":"Mental and Addiction Health Alfred Hospital  Melbourne Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4295-9239","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gabrielle","family":"Burdeu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing &amp; Midwifery Deakin University  Burwood Australia"},{"name":"Institute for Health Transformation Deakin University  Geelong Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-3111-2023","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anita","family":"Cappello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Eastern Health Eastern Health Institute  Melbourne Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6171-5953","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Keith","family":"Griffin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Eastern Health Eastern Health Institute  Melbourne Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_13_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.70112","article-title":"I Felt Like I Was Invisible\u2019: Nursing Students' Experiences of Mental Health Clinical Placement\u2014A Cross\u2010Sectional Study","volume":"34","author":"Alexander L.","year":"2025","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_13_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"825","DOI":"10.1111\/jpm.13035","article-title":"Nurses' Career Choice and Satisfaction With Mental Health Transition\u2010To\u2010Practice Programs: A Cross\u2010Sectional Study","volume":"31","author":"Alexander L.","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_4_1","unstructured":"Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.2022.\u201cNational Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022\u20132032.\u201dhttps:\/\/vccmhw.vic.gov.au\/dam\/jcr:775d7920\u20105bdf\u20104851\u20109a69\u20106d778e7e2d04\/national\u2010mental\u2010health\u2010workforce\u2010strategy\u20102022\u20102032.pdf."},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_13_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.70231","article-title":"Psychosocial Outcomes and Turnover Intention of Mental Health Transition\u2010To\u2010Practice Nurses at 6 Months Follow\u2010Up","volume":"35","author":"Boardman J. M.","year":"2026","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_13_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun V.","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qualitative Research in Psychology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.4135\/9781036232078.n9","volume-title":"Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide","author":"Braun V.","year":"2021"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/01612840.2020.1871133"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.12986"},{"issue":"17","key":"e_1_2_13_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6136","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.16746","article-title":"Nursing Students' Experience of Workplace Violence in Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review","volume":"32","author":"Dafny H. A.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical Nursing"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_13_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1234","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.12874","article-title":"Mental Health Nurses' Psychological Well\u2010Being, Mental Distress, and Workplace Resilience: A Cross\u2010Sectional Survey","volume":"30","author":"Delgado C.","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nepr.2024.104105","article-title":"Understanding the Experiences of Transition for Newly Qualified Mental Health Nurses and Their Potential to Stay in the Role: A Qualitative Exploration","volume":"80","author":"Ford K.","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nurse Education in Practice"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_13_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.70144","article-title":"Transitioning Into Mental Health Nursing: A Scoping Review","volume":"34","author":"Foster K.","year":"2025","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_13_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.12548","article-title":"Resilience and Mental Health Nursing: An Integrative Review of International Literature","volume":"28","author":"Foster K.","year":"2019","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_13_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"409","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.13246","article-title":"Well\u2010Being, Turnover Intention, and Stigma Attitudes of Mental Health Transition\u2010To\u2010Practice Nurses: A Cross\u2010Sectional Study","volume":"33","author":"Foster K.","year":"2024","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1525822X05279903"},{"issue":"10","key":"e_1_2_13_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"829","DOI":"10.1080\/01612840.2018.1489921","article-title":"Nursing Students' Attitudes Towards People Diagnosed With Mental Illness and Mental Health Nursing: An International Project From Europe and Australia","volume":"39","author":"Happell B.","year":"2018","journal-title":"Issues in Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"12","key":"e_1_2_13_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1327","DOI":"10.1080\/01612840.2024.2408573","article-title":"A Scoping Review of Australian New Graduate Nurse Preparation to Work in Mental Health Settings","volume":"45","author":"Hazelton M.","year":"2024","journal-title":"Issues in Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_13_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1177\/1468794120976072","article-title":"Beyond a Coefficient: An Interactive Process of Achieving Inter\u2010Rater Consistency in Qualitative Coding","volume":"22","author":"Hemmler V. L.","year":"2020","journal-title":"Qualitative Research"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_13_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"286","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.12192","article-title":"Graduate Nurses' Experiences of Mental Health Services in Their First Year of Practice: An Integrative Review","volume":"25","author":"Hooper M. E.","year":"2016","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nepr.2022.103323","article-title":"Violence Experienced by Undergraduate Nursing Students During Clinical Placements: An Online Survey at a Scottish University","volume":"61","author":"Hunter E. J.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nurse Education in Practice"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/01612840.2025.2546267"},{"issue":"8","key":"e_1_2_13_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4274","DOI":"10.1111\/jonm.13882","article-title":"Factors Influencing the Transition and Retention of Mental Health Nurses During the Initial Years of Practice: Scoping Review","volume":"30","author":"Joseph B.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Nursing Management"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_13_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.13226","article-title":"Informing the Development of a Fit\u2010For\u2010Purpose Mental Health Nursing Curriculum: A Survey of Mental Health Nurse Academics in Australia","volume":"33","author":"Lakeman R.","year":"2024","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"issue":"8","key":"e_1_2_13_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0272498","article-title":"The Impact of Comorbid Severe Mental Illness and Common Chronic Physical Health Conditions on Hospitalisation: A Systematic Review and Meta\u2010Analysis","volume":"17","author":"Launders N.","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnsa.2025.100390"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nedt.2019.104219"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_13_28_1","first-page":"128","article-title":"The Impact of Clinical Supervision on the Mental Health Nursing Workforce: A Scoping Review","volume":"34","author":"McDonough J.","year":"2024","journal-title":"International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2155\u20108256(22)00081\u20103"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.colegn.2023.05.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_31_1","unstructured":"Safe Work Australia.2025.\u201cWHS Profile: Nursing Care and Support Workforce.\u201dhttps:\/\/data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au\/profile\/whs\u2010profile\u2010nursing\u2010care\u2010support\u2010workforce."},{"issue":"6","key":"e_1_2_13_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","article-title":"Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ): A 32\u2010Item Checklist for Interviews and Focus Groups","volume":"19","author":"Tong A.","year":"2007","journal-title":"International Journal for Quality in Health Care"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/inm.12232"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_13_34_1","first-page":"194","article-title":"Beyond a Coefficient: An Interactive Process for Achieving Inter\u2010Rater Consistency in Qualitative Coding","volume":"22","author":"Vonna L. H.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Grantee Submission"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.26550\/2209\u20101092.1024"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Mental Health Nursing"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/inm.70340","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1111\/inm.70340","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/inm.70340","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,2]],"date-time":"2026-09-02T06:18:03Z","timestamp":1788329883000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/inm.70340"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/inm.70340"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/inm.70340","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1445-8330","1447-0349"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1445-8330","type":"print"},{"value":"1447-0349","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-05-10","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-08-25","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-09-01","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70340"}}