RESUMEN
The role transition from student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) can be challenging and stressful. In the United States, CRNAs practice in every healthcare and administer anesthesia to more than 32 million patients a year. A qualitative phenomenographic research approach was used to identify the factors affecting CRNAs' role transition. Online recruitment and interviewing techniques were used to sample recently graduated CRNAs to identify these factors. Five factors were perceived as promoting the CRNA role transition: mastery of self-efficacy and confidence, expert mentoring and guidance, supportive work envi-ronment, peer support, and previous experience as a SRNA. Four factors were also perceived as impeding CRNAs' role transition: practice limitations, lack of orientation and preceptor, hostile work environment, and decreased workload or caseload. This study has implications for employers of newly graduated CRNAs in implementing interventions that promote successful role transition and guide future research.