Purpose: Transition programs have been adopted by many healthcare institutions to assist the new graduate nurse as they adjust to the work environment. The use of structured residency programs and prolonged orientations are considered best practices to ease the new graduate nurse into their role. This study aims to describe the lived experience of new graduate registered nurses as they enter the workforce. Design: Using a qualitative research design, Van Manen's phenomenological inquiry, study participants were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Data were collected between December 2018- September 2019 with in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. The sample (N=7) consisted of participants born between the years 1986-1996, graduated within three years of the study, and practice in the northeastern region of the United States. Method: Amodified Colaizzi approach allowed the researchers to return to the study participants to validate themes. Findings: The experience and perceptions of new graduate registered nurses are unified in two major themes discussed within this article: emotional ambivalence and the need to escape. Conclusion New graduate nurses continue to feel overwhelmed and need structured guidance during their professional transition training programs. In the absence of strong support by the institution, new graduates leave the bedside.