Background: The lack of registered nurses is the largest in many years, both global and in Sweden and it is a growing issue. In 2022, 4422 new nurses got their license in Sweden. The newly graduated nurse can experience the transition from student to nurse as challenging and difficult and the number of nurses that choose to leave their occupation grows every year. To get them to stay within the profession therefore is important in order to continue to conduct a well executed and safe care. Aim: The purpose of the literature study was to describe newly graduated nurses experiences of their first year of clinical work at a hospital ward. Method: A literature study with a qualitative approach based on eleven studies obtained from the databases Cinahl and Pubmed. The studies underwent a quality review and data analysis based on content analysis. Result: The data analysis resulted in three categories: The search for professional identity, The work environments impact on self-esteem and The feeling of inadequacy characterized the work. The categories included a total of seven subcategories: Understanding of the new work role, Need for support, Personal and professional development, The work climates importance for the teamspirit and colleagues' attitude affected the teamspirit, The importance of confirmation, The pursuit of control and The mental and physical wellbeing was effected by stress. Conclusion: The first year was overwhelming. The year consisted of a development process that started with the sense of being a beginner and ended with the feeling of being a registered nurse. To facilitate this process support from colleagues and preceptors was important.