Readiness for Practice: Perspectives of Graduating BSN Students

Sinatra-Wilhelm, Tina

Purpose:

Healthcare is an ever evolving entity of increasing complexity. It is imperative that those entering the workforce are appropriately prepared. It is the hope of faculty that they have well prepared their students to meet the challenges they will face in today’s practice environment. By studying the perception of the graduating BSN student’s readiness to practice, we hope to discover that they students feel they are ready to meet the demands of being a nurse. However, if that is not the case, we will be able to identify areas in which change can be initiated so students are better prepared and more comfortable with entering the workforce.

Methods:

Utilizing a previously validated tool, with permission (Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey) all spring 2015 graduating seniors will be offered the opportunity to participate in a research study. The estimated total convenience sample is 250 individuals. Participation is voluntary and has no value to the student’s course grade. The survey will be offered after the final class and while demographic information is included in the survey packet, the students name is not requested. Informed consent will be obtained prior to completion of the survey. All survey will be kept at their respective institution in a locked cabinet in the faculty researcher’s office for the duration specified by the respective IRB.

Results:

Results are not yet available, but will be completed before presentation

Conclusion:

The likely conclusion is that not all students obtain the same level of preparedness. Healthcare and the demands placed on nurses are ever evolving and require ongoing assessment in nursing curriculums, to ensure graduates are prepared for the most current demands of the workplace. By evaluating demographic data along with studetn response we will be able to determine if there are gaps in curriculum or clinical placements. Further research would be indicated in the instance of curriculum change or significant change in clinical practice requirements.