The Mediating Role of Professional Quality of Life in the Association Between Structural Empowerment and Transition Among Newly Hired Nurses Educated During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publication date: Sep 03, 2025

Existing research has highlighted the stress associated with the transition from student to practitioner among newly hired nurses, often resulting in diminished professional quality of life (ProQOL). However, there remains a dearth of understanding regarding the impact of the teaching methods during the COVID-19 pandemic on this transition period. This study aims to test a model assessing the mediating role of ProQOL in the association between structural empowerment and successful transition among newly hired nurses who underwent education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized a cross-sectional correlational design and was conducted in two university hospitals and four government hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study sample was selected using purposive sampling. The Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey, the Arabic version of the ProQOL version 5, and the Conditions for Workplace Effectiveness Questionnaire Second Arabic version were used in the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 28. 0.1. 1. The model was examined using Hayes’ process macro. Structural empowerment significantly predicts successful transitions, both directly and indirectly through its impact on ProQOL. Nurse managers should employ optimal strategies and innovative structures within orientation programs to effectively facilitate the transition of Saudi graduate nurses. Moreover, nursing leaders and policymakers should leverage the increased attention garnered during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance structural empowerment among newly hired nurses, thereby improving their transition and overall well-being. Structural empowerment was a direct and indirect predictor of successful transitions.

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