![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to apply Roger's Diffusion of Innovations Theory to support organizational efforts to implement strategic support for new graduate nurses.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify three outcomes of successful Residency program completion to patient care quality and new graduate nurse professional development.
New graduate Registered Nurses (RNs) face unique challenges during the role transition experience (IOM, 2010) including high performance expectations in an intensive practice environment, high patient acuity, and increased accountability for nursing quality indicators (Trepanier, Early, Ulrich & Cherry, 2012).
Purpose:
This project will evaluate the organizational impact of providing an innovative Nurse Residency Program (NRP) model designed to exceptionally support new graduate RNs during the post-academic entry to clinical practice.
Intervention:
Using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model and Guidelines (Newhouse, Dearholt, Poe, Pugh & White, 2007) supporting evidence-based innovations, a NRP model was developed addressing the need for providing strategic transitional academic to clinical practice support while focusing on organizational goals, nursing sensitive indicators, and demonstrating sustainable practice and policy changes.
Theoretical Framework:
Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations Theory (1962) provided the framework for adopting this innovation. Nursing leaders acquire knowledge to become early adopters of this model. Engagement of new graduate RNs occurs through participation, and retention of this market reinforces the innovation and organizational return on the initial investment. Confirmation is achieved with positive stakeholder interactions and improvements to patient care quality, supporting continual adoption of the innovation.
Evaluation:
Examines successful NRP program completion, impacts of participant-led evidence-based practice projects, and a review of outcomes for nursing quality indicators.
Implications:
Implementing a NRP has improved the quality of the new graduate RN experience. Since 2010, this model has supported over 200 new RNs, impacted quality indicators, and resulted in numerous policy and practice changes. Roger’s theory provides an effective framework for continual adoption of this NRP model.