Purpose: To describe collaborative strategies and outcomes in transitioning non-nursing college graduates to professional RNs and APNs.

Conceptual Framework: Schlossberg’s Transition Theory

Methods: During the internship taking place in the pre-licensure Moving Out phase, students undergo an intensive preceptored clinical experience to ease their transition from students to beginning professionals. The internship integrates the application of the professional nursing code to clinical practice. The students learn to assess their learning and experiential needs and increase their autonomy in assuming the professional nurse role. They learn how to demonstrate emerging leadership skills in the management of patient care. During the graduate  Moving Out phase, strategies are in place to assist students transitioning to an APN role, including preparation for national certification and obtaining their first APN position. 

Outcomes: Cohort 1 NCLEX pass rate is 91%. Retrospective pre/post results at the end of the prelicensure component showed a significant increase in the students’ clinical (t=7.9, p<.001; .47 effect size) and communication (t=6.8, p<.001; .39 effect size) competencies. Mean score on the Dempster Professional Behaviors Scale was 119 (SD=5.67), indicating a high degree of autonomy. Focus groups revealed that the internship provided the experience for the students to “pull things together,” underscoring an understanding and synthesis of the beginning professional role. Outcomes of the graduate Moving Out phase will be measured when cohort 1 graduates, using focus groups to ascertain their satisfaction with the SCAN program in enhancing their career transitions. APN national certification results and APN employment will be tracked. 

Conclusions: Evidence suggests that the SCAN program through its collaborative strategies has successfully transitioned the second career student to the professional nursing role.