Experience of New Graduate Nurses who Received Continuous Supports for Three Years through Dialogue with Certified Nurse Specialists in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

The study aimed to clarify the experiences of new graduate psychiatric nurses in Japan who received continuous support for three years through dialogue with Certified Nurse Specialists（CNSs）in psychiatric and mental health nursing. In Japan, preceptorships are often used to support new nurses’ adjustment to the workplace. Although preceptorships are helpful for training, it is difficult to convey the appeal of psychiatric nursing to young nurses. Subsequently, CNSs manage new graduate nurses individually for three years in a role different from that of their preceptor. Data collected through focus group interviews were analyzed through a qualitative inductive analysis. In total, 13 nurses participated as research collaborators. The experience helped the new graduate psychiatric nurses who received three years of continuous support through dialogue with CNSs to（1）build a relationship of trust with CNSs and consult with confidence;（2）consult on something difficult to discuss with someone close to them;（3）monitor themselves and their growth;（4）overcome difficulties while being supported by CNSs; and（5）learn from interacting with CNSs. Preceptorships are limited to one year of support for new graduate nurses. When nurses enter their second year, they must become independent from their seniors. Subsequently, the presence of the CNSs was significant not only during the “rookie” years when faced with reality shocks but also as a means of psycho-emotional support from the second year onwards when support tends to be interrupted. Additionally, interactions with the CNSs were utilized to improve the new graduate nurses’ skills.