BackgroundThe aim of this study is to explore the practice experiences of new graduate nurses (NGNs) in publicly funded acute healthcare settings in the Greater Toronto Area, their perspectives on the determinants of their desire to stay or leave the nursing profession, and to identify action-oriented strategies to promote retention of NGNs.DesignQualitative, descriptiveMethodsFifteen NGNs participated in focus group sessions, where a semi-structured interview guide was created to generate discussion on NGNs' lived and professional experiences. We utilised the Social Ecological and Intersectionality frameworks to guide data analysis with an emphasis on social identities, power relationships, and the personal, interpersonal, organizational, and structural determinants of nursing retention.ResultsParticipants contextualized their major challenges within four professional development phases: 1.) accessible nursing education and practicum placement
2) preparedness, orientation and mentorship during entry to practice
3) navigating transition to independent practice and multi-level structural violence
3.1) retention strategies
and 4) perspectives on professional trajectory for NGNs.ConclusionNGNs experience major challenges throughout their nursing education and career. The study findings indicate that further research and systemic reform is essential to support, develop, and retain nursing leaders in the acute care setting. Furthermore, the findings can inform the development of evidence-based nursing curriculum reform.