Transitioning to university as a nursing student: Thematic analysis of written reflections.

Nursing students' transition experiences are similar to those of other university students. However, the particular demographics of nursing student cohorts amplifies certain aspects of the transition experience: more students who are likely to struggle with transition but also more students who embrace the developmental aspects of going to university. Transition requires joint enterprise between students and university staff, especially in terms of expectations and the support required to become independent learners. Transitions can be eased by tapping into student resourcefulness and seeing transition as a gradual process that cuts across academic, social and personal dimensions rather than as a short, one-off event.