Abstract: The aim of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the experience of new comprehensive nursing graduates as they adapted to working in the acute psychiatric setting. Interviews were conducted with four participants, focussing on their current work experiences and how the philosophical beliefs and values derived from their educational preparation fit with those they encountered within the practice setting. The data were analysed by noting common experiences, values and meanings and identifying the themes as they emerged. The themes were: transition to practice, conflict, contradiction, structural constraints, and the reality of the psychiatric setting. The results of the study confirm the concern that has been voiced by new graduates about the quality and quantity of current orientation programmes. Conflicting values and beliefs concerning the nature of mental health/psychiatric nursing has also become evident. It appears that the graduates' Comprehensive nursing preparation may have contributed to their feelings of unease as they attempted to fit their own values and beliefs about nursing with those of the acute psychiatric setting