Background: Newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals can experience stress and a perceived lack of competence when transitioning from academia to clinical practice, which can lead to health problems or leaving the profession. Globally, creating healthy workplaces remains a challenge. The aim of this study, which had a salutogenic approach, was to explore health-promoting resources and workplace experiences among newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included Swedish healthcare and social work professionals in their second year after graduation, recruited from six universities. Data were collected in March 2023 via a self-reported, web-based survey using validated instruments: the salutogenically oriented 13-item Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale, the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), and the 32-item Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS), along with questions on health, well-being, lifestyle and social factors at work, including three from the General Nordic Questionnaire (QPSNordic). Data were analyzed in SPSS 28 with nonparametric tests and Spearman correlations.

Results: A total of 115 newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals completed the questionnaire. The results indicated that those who expressed they were sure to stay in the profession reported a higher total WEMS score (p < 0.001), as well as higher scores in five out of six dimensions: supportive working conditions (p < 0.001), internal work experience (p < 0.001), autonomy (p < 0.001), time experience (p = 0.006), and management (p = 0.029). Participants who rated their well-being as good scored higher in supportive working conditions (p = 0.025) and the change process (p = 0.008). Those living with children reported higher internal work experience scores (p = 0.019).The results revealed positive and medium-strong to strong correlations between WEMS, SHIS, and SOC total scores. Specifically, there were medium-strong correlations between SHIS and SOC and two dimensions of WEMS: supportive working conditions and time experience, and between SHIS and the change process dimension.

Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of salutogenic resources in supporting newly graduated professionals. Factors such as supportive working conditions, autonomy, and internal work experience were linked to well-being and intention to stay in the profession. Understanding these factors can inform workplace interventions to promote retention and health in early career stages. © 2025. The Author(s).