Transitioning Into Professional Nursing Practice
There exists a variety of essential components that assist nursing graduates transition from the education environment into professional nursing practice. These components are not only critical in laying the groundwork for integration of new graduates into the nursing profession but are also instrumental in assisting these professionals balance the demands of employment with personal needs, therefore effectively reducing the heightened stress that forms part of the role transition. This paper samples some of the essential components necessary in the transition of new graduates into professional nursing practice.
Transition to practice programs form a critical component of any transition experience as they not only support graduate nurses professional adjustment into the nursing practice but afford them with quality learning, guidance and support needed to move through the difficult process of role transition.
These programs assist the to adapt to new responsibilities and expectations, and to build knowledge and confidence in their new role. Additionally, the transition programs not only enhance learning and skill acquirement in a flexible, accommodating and , but also lay the groundwork for new graduate nurses to exercise independence and control over their professional practice.
Reorientation programs are essential in assisting new graduates to transit into professional nursing practice. These programs not only assist the new nurses reestablish feelings of connectedness with the profession but also promote their understanding and acceptance of the new reality, as well as stabilize their emotions and intellect. Reorientation programs assist new graduate nurses to establish a level of comfort with their shortcomings, mature in their professional relationships with other experienced nurses, and obtain a practical sense of their professionalism relative to that of their contemporaries.
Socialization is another essential component for new graduate nurses as they transit into professional nursing practice. Professional socialization encompasses new graduate nurses learning about a multiplicity of variables, such as optimizing communication processes, minimizing interpersonal conflict, professional role and associated proficiency, knowledge and behaviors, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration.
This component is particularly important during transition as it assists new graduate nurses to acquire the required behavioral characteristics, attitudes, values, and role orientations expected of the new positions. Socialization processes have the potential to influence the turnover of new nurses, the quality of their work, and their perceptions within their newly attained role.
Expectation management is yet another essential component during transition as it assists the new graduate nurses dealing with value conflicts and role ambiguities. The new graduate nurses should be mentored not to keep unrealistic expectations relating to their new roles and practice, and senior nursing staff as well as clinical educators should also be encouraged not to hold unrealistic expectations of the recruits skills and level of knowledge. It should be remembered that unrealistic expectations increase stress and reduce retention levels for new graduate nurses.
The last component deals with knowledge and skill acquisition. New nursing graduates should be exposed to a level of knowledge and skill that is relevant and sufficient to meet the demands and expectations of the new environment. Adequate knowledge and skill lead to nursing competence in critical areas such as , interdisciplinary collaboration, intellectual and interpersonal excellence, and value development. Knowledge and skill acquisition also leads to a well , and personal performance, thoroughness and self-control.
