Purpose: The aim of this study investigated the transition experience of novice nurses working in a tertiary hospital, focusing on the difference between nursing school education and clinical nursing practice. Methods: The data were collected through an unstructured, in-depth interview with 14 recently employed nurses from October 2020 to January 2021. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The main theme of the transition experience perceived by new graduate nurses was confirmed as ‘reality shock’. In the process of identifying the main themes, five categories, sixteen sub- categories, and sixty-two concepts were derived. The five categories were, ‘Clinical field different from school education setting’, ‘Nursing school education in need of change’, ‘Strengths and limitations of clinical training in schools and hospitals’, ‘Difficulty in establishing relationships and communicating’, and ‘struggling to stand alone’. Conclusion: To minimize the reality shock experienced by novice nurses, nursing schools should innovate their traditional teaching methods based on the changing characteristics of the novice nurses and the clinical environment. In nursing practice, hospitals should grant more time to the nurses for adaptation and diversify mentoring programs comparable to internships for novice nurses.