Publication Details
Russell, K.,
&
Juliff, D.
(2021).
Graduate nurse transition programs pivotal point of participants’ practice readiness questioned during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis: A scoping review.
The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 52 (8), 392-396.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic requires an accessible, practice-ready nursing workforce to assist with the increase in health service delivery. Graduate nurse transition programs are the entry point for most graduates into professional practice, and this review focused on both empirical studies and gray literature to identify at what point practice readiness occurs and what can assist graduate nurses’ transition to become practice ready.
Method: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework.
Results: Consensus purports supportive environments, ideally in formal structured graduate transition to practice programs, to enhance graduate nurses’ clinical skills and confidence development. With nursing confidence and competence gained through professional practice experience, it is apparent that for a sustainable nursing workforce, greater access for graduating nurses to transition programs is imperative.
Conclusion: Recommendations include restructuring transition programs with possible time reductions, limited rotations, comprehensive orientations inclusive of preceptorship, and dedicated educators to increase and enhance supportive graduate nurse transitions.
Keywords
COVID-19, nursing, nurses, practice-ready workforce, graduate nursing transition programs
