The mediating role of feedback-seeking behavior in the relationship between self-efficacy and transition shock of nursing interns: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

Nursing interns experience transition shock when moving to professional roles, and feedback-seeking behavior helps reduce this shock by linking it to higher self-efficacy.

Contribution

This study identifies feedback-seeking behavior as a key mediator between self-efficacy and transition shock in nursing interns.

Findings

Feedback-seeking behavior mediates 66.1% of the effect of self-efficacy on transition shock.

Self-efficacy and feedback-seeking behavior are strongly negatively correlated with transition shock.

Factors like gender and physical health significantly influence transition shock levels.

Abstract

Transition shock commonly occurs as nursing interns move from student roles to professional practice, leading to confusion, uncertainty, and a lack of clarity in their psychological, physiological, knowledge and skills development.

This study aims to investigate the status of transition shock among Chinese nursing interns and explore the mediating role of feedback-seeking behavior in the relationship between self-efficacy and transition shock.

This is a cross-sectional survey study following the STROBE guidelines. A convenience sample of 450 nursing interns were surveyed from February to March 2025. Participants completed a questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, Transition Shock Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Feedback-Seeking Behavior Scale. The Bootstrap method was applied to assess the mediating effects.

The mean ± SD for transition shock among nursing interns was 59.28 ± 4.53. Factors influencing transition shock included gender, reasons for choosing nursing, physical health status, enjoyment of the nursing major, class leadership roles, only-child status, and parental education levels. Self-efficacy (r = −0.651, p < 0.001) and feedback-seeking behavior (r = −0.711, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with transition shock. Feedback-seeking behavior was found to mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and transition shock (indirect effect = −0.585, 95% CI: −0.766 to −0.389), accounting for 66.1% of the total effect.

Feedback-seeking behavior is the mediating variable between self-efficacy and transition shock of nursing interns. These insights provide evidence-based strategies for targeted interventions aimed at alleviating transition shock among nursing interns.

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