Abstract
BACKGROUND: Newly graduated nurses in cancer hospitals face significant challenges in high-pressure environments, struggling with career adaptability due to limited clinical experience. This adaptability is crucial for managing occupational stress and influences perceptions of patient safety culture. However, existing studies have not explored this group's latent profiles of career adaptability, underscoring the need for further research. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify latent profiles of career adaptability among newly graduated nurses in cancer hospitals and examine their impact on perceptions of patient safety culture. DESIGN: This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design. METHODS: Between October and November 2023, newly graduated nurses from a tertiary cancer hospital in Beijing, China, were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were gathered using a General Information Questionnaire, the Career Adaptability Scale, and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture Scale. Latent profile analysis was performed using the R3STEP and BCH methods. RESULTS: A total of 365 newly graduated nurses participated. Career adaptability was categorized into three profiles: "low" (14.0%), "moderate" (41.4%), and "high" (44.7%). Significant predictors included age, education level, clinical practice duration, unclear career planning, and lack of tertiary hospital internship experience. Perceptions of patient safety culture varied significantly across the profiles. CONCLUSION: Career adaptability among newly graduated nurses in cancer hospitals exhibits heterogeneous characteristics that significantly impact their perceptions of patient safety culture. Nursing managers and educators should recognize this diversity and implement individualized strategies to enhance these perceptions.