Jill Hummell

Allied Health Graduates' First Year of Employment Jill Hummell

This research explored the workplace experiences of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech pathologists in their first year of employment. Findings identified that this first year was characterized by intense learning, multiple work stressors, achievements, satisfaction, and for some, distress. Three transitions were experienced ? adjustment to the workplace and work role, assimilation into the workplace and workforce, and future workforce plans. A supportive workplace environment had a strong positive effect on graduates? integration into the workplace and an unsupportive workplace had a negative effect. A model of workplace integration of allied health graduates in the first year of employment was developed. The findings support the need for entry-level courses to better prepare students for the workplace realities of their professional work roles, including managing work stressors, and for employers of new health professionals to implement supportive management practices to obtain positive workplace and graduate outcomes, including quality client service provision.