The transition from student to staff nurse has always been seen as a challenging and stressful time in the working life of a nurse, yet it is an area that has seen little research. In the light of recent debate on the effectiveness of Project 2000 training, this survey looks at the perceived occupational stresses experienced by Project 2000 trained staff nurses during their first six months as qualified practitioners

THERE IS substantial evidence to indicate that nursing is a stressful occupation which can lead to disruptions in both psychological and physical health and can impair professional practice (Wynn etal 1993, Sutherland and Cooper 1993).