Abstract: Objective: To explore the effect of group counseling in reducing transition shock among intern nursing students in
infectious disease hospitals. Methods: Intern nursing students undergoing clinical practice at a tertiary infectious disease hospital in
Kunming from June 2023 to April 2024 were selected and randomized into an experimental group and a control group using a random
number table, with 43 students in each group. The control group only attended routine pre-employment training organized by the
hospital, while the experimental group received 8-week group counseling （once weekly, 120 minutes per session） in addition to the
routine training. The Chinese version of the Nursing Undergraduate Transition Shock Assessment Scale was used to assess transition
shock levels in the two groups before intervention, at 4 weeks post-intervention, 8 weeks post-intervention, and 3 months after
intervention completion. Results: After 4 weeks of intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the total score of
transition shock between the two groups of intern nursing students （P=0.160）. However, after 8 weeks of intervention and 3 months
after the end of the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in the total score of transition shock between the two
groups of intern nursing students （P<0.001）. The time effect, group effect, and interaction effect of the total score of transition shock
were all statistically significant （P<0.05）. Conclusion: Group counseling can effectively alleviate transition shock in intern nursing
students at infectious disease hospitals, but its long-term effects weaken over time. Therefore, in clinical nursing management and
teaching practice, it is recommended to appropriately increase intervention frequency, conduct regular group counseling activities,
consolidate effects, and better support the growth of intern nursing students.

Key words: group counseling, transition shock, intern nursing students, infectious disease hospital, apply effects