Exploring Psychological Safety among Newly Registered Nurses in Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Background: Psychological safety is essential in promoting confidence, communication, learning, and professional development among newly registered nurses transitioning into clinical practice. Despite its recognized importance in healthcare, limited qualitative studies have explored how newly registered nurses experience psychological safety within actual clinical environments. Aim: This study explored the experiences of newly registered nurses regarding psychological safety in clinical practice. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive design was employed involving nine newly registered nurses employed in selected private healthcare hospitals in Cabanatuan City. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on established inclusion criteria. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews using a validated interview guide and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Results: Five major themes emerged from the analysis: navigating the challenges of early nursing practice, experiencing supportive communication in clinical practice, barriers to speaking up, psychological safety as a catalyst for professional growth, and recommendations for a psychologically safe workplace. Findings revealed that supportive communication, mentorship, teamwork, and constructive leadership enhanced confidence, learning, and clinical decision-making among newly registered nurses. Conversely, workplace hierarchy, fear of criticism, and stressful clinical environments hindered open communication and psychological safety. Conclusion: Psychological safety significantly influences the transition experiences, emotional well-being, communication behaviors, and professional growth of newly registered nurses. Establishing supportive and psychologically safe clinical environments through respectful communication, mentorship, and collaborative leadership may strengthen nurse confidence, professional adjustment, and quality patient care.