When new nursing graduates begin the process of transitioning into nursing practice. There are many challenges and problems associated during the transition. Recent graduates can embark on their journey through a graduate program or look for work on their own. The transition period may consist of challenges that students will encounter during their journey. This essay will identify, discuss and critically reflect on the key nursing challenges that nursing students may face, throughout the transition phase process. The key nursing challenges chosen for this essay include professionalism, preparedness, personal factors, competence factors, patient-centered care, and job satisfaction. These nursing challenges will be discussed in depth and supported by current evidence-based research and nursing literature. Transition is defined as a process or period of change from one state or condition to another (Oxford, 2016). In relation to nursing students, it is important that students have the ability to be competent in a clinical setting. Be deemed competent in skills according to nursing regulations and requirements. This is a challenging factor for many students as they enter the transition period. This is due to students believing that they do not possess the desired clinical competence that promotes the skills and authority of a professional nurse (Harsin, Soroor & Soodabeh, 2012). Clinical research studies have found that students possess the expected levels of knowledge, attitude, and behavior required. However, the range of practical skills is not sufficient for the range of practical contexts (Evans, 2008). This research also found that other evidence-based studies have found that proficiency in nursing skills is still lacking (Evans, 2008). These skills are lacking among nursing students and new graduates who are in their first or second year of study