Paper
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Direct Entry to Specialty Practice: What Makes it Work?
Patricia Z. Lund, EdD, RN, Department of Nursing, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, USA
| Learning Objective #1: ... “identify what new US graduates identify as the most important content in orientation programs." |
| Learning Objective #2: ..."identify what new US graduates find most and least helpful orientation modalities." |
United States (US) Nursing education programs prepare graduates for generalist practice. In the past, most new graduates worked for a period of time in adult acute care settings prior to moving into specialty practice. Today, new graduates are needed in every area of practice; they are offered the opportunity to begin their careers in nursing specialties. A literature review revealed nothing that supports or negates the need for adult acute care practice experience prior to specialty practice. What do new graduates of generalist nursing education programs need to transition to specialty practice work.?
An online survey sent to 488 RNs throughout the US revealed what graduates believed helped in the transition to the graduate nurse role in specialty practice. The 89 respondents reported varying length orientation programs; consistently identifying the importance of 1:1 precepting among the top factors contributing to their successful transition. Demographic data collected and analyzed included age, educational preparation, pre-licensure experiences, duration of employment with initial employer, and reasons for leaving that work setting. Respondents identified those factors they believed to be most and least important regarding orientation content and modalities.
Open ended question responses gave voice to new graduates’ experiences in transitioning to practice. Together with survey results, they provide evidence of what generalist graduates say they need to succeed in specialty practice.