Novice NPs cited limited job opportunities and decreased pay during the pandemic.

Novice NPs found fewer onboarding and mentorship opportunities during the pandemic.

Novice NPs reported less primary care experience opportunities during the pandemic.

Decreased patient workload during the pandemic improved novice NP role transition.

Novice NPs' role transition was positively influenced by greater use of telehealth.

While it is known how the COVID-19 pandemic affected providers already employed and working in health care settings, there is little data about the effect it may have had on novice nurse practitioners (NPs).

The purpose of this study was to describe novice NPs' employment decisions and role transition experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Via an online survey, novice NPs were asked open-ended questions about how the pandemic influenced the decision to take their first position and their role transition experience, as well as what employers did well or could have done better to facilitate this transition.

Participants described employment challenges that included a difficult job market with limited employment opportunities, decreased pay and benefits, fewer onboarding and mentorship opportunities, and less primary care experience. However, NPs reported the pandemic positively influenced their role transition experiences with decreased patient workload and greater use of telehealth.

Novice NPs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in making employment decisions and transitioning into the NP role.

Novice

Nurse practitioner

Role transition

COVID-19

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