BACKGROUND: The transition of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) into the intensive care unit (ICU) differs from general nursing because of the complexities of critical care management, which includes managing life-threatening conditions. The ICU transition experiences for NGNs can contribute to higher occupational stress and lead to greater turnover intentions. This turnover may exacerbate staffing shortages, increase workloads and potentially compromise care quality. Understanding the new nurses' transition experiences is crucial for providing strategies to support their adaptation and retention in the nursing workforce. AIM: To explore the transition experiences and describe the unique challenges that NGNs face in the ICU. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study design was utilized to explore the NGNs' transition experiences into the ICU in Singapore. A purposive sampling of 15 participants was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted from November 2023 to February 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes and eight sub-themes emerged from the participants' interviews. The three major themes are: 'Navigating the Unfamiliar Realm of the ICU', 'Traversing Personal Growth Amid Concerns for Independence' and 'Becoming Proficient and Taking More Responsibilities'. Themes were explored through a phased approach that captured the evolving challenges and experiences NGNs face during the transition into ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding each phase of NGNs' experiences in the ICU is necessary for raising awareness within organizations or academic institutions. Future research can take a phased approach to address the issues identified, as each phase may present different challenges. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Identifying and addressing NGNs' transition period and how they learn new critical care skills are essential for safe critical care practice.