The study investigated transition shock among first-year residents in China using latent profile analysis (LPA) on a sample of 766 respondents from four national training bases in Hubei province. Of the 574 valid questionnaires, three groups were identified: low psychological-sociocultural shock (13.41%), high physical knowledge/skill shock (27.01%) and moderate transitional shock (59.58%). Higher scores on the dimensions of professional knowledge, commitment, and expectation were associated with lower odds of being assigned to the high physical knowledge/skill shock group. Conversely, a strong sense of professional values increased the risk of being included in this group. Master of Medicine candidates were more likely to be in the group with high physical knowledge/skill shock and less likely to be in the group with low psychological-sociocultural shock. The study highlights the heterogeneity of transitional shock and recommends targeted interventions to promote competencies and a two-track support system for master's candidates. The results are supported by statistical analysis using R software and the validity of the scales used (Cronbach's α = 0.862 and 0.879).