The experience of novice nurse faculty in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To understand the experience of novice nurse faculty members in Saudi Arabia and the influences on novice nurse graduates in their academic role.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study grounded in naturalistic inquiry was used to better understand the experience of novice faculty in Saudi Arabia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 novice nurse faculty from nursing schools in Saudi universities. Data were collected until saturation was achieved. The researcher interviewed participants using a video conferencing platform, and all interviews were digitally audio-recorded. Content and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: There were four major themes: teaching on a peninsula, navigating in the dark, grappling with the faculty role, and working hard to create hope for a better tomorrow.

Conclusions: The findings add to the literature regarding the novice faculty experience, self-confidence, and the strategies needed to enhance their teaching performance.