Hiring of new graduate nurses (NGN) into critical care units (CrCU) without prior acute care experience increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. CrCUs are high-stress environments that contribute to difficult transitions and elevated stress levels for NGNs. Up to 50 per cent of NGNs consider leaving the profession within two years. High turnover and poor retention strain resources and overwhelm clinical nurse educators (CNE). Resulting challenges include inconsistent patient care, weakened team dynamics, and increased staff burnout.
