3 Ways to Nurture a Culture of Learning for Nurses
Nurses are adaptable innovators whose contributions propel nursing practice into the future. Their discoveries transform society, reinvent how providers approach care, and inform evidence-based practices, all of which contribute to quality care and improved patient safety. However, without the right support, it is difficult to harness the true power of a nurse's unique perspective on the patient experience, which can be impacted due to high levels of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
Nursing innovation is a journey, and one where a culture of learning can foster curiosity while equipping caregivers to be confident, competent, and adaptable. With effective tools, this type of culture can nurture resilient practitioners who are equipped to deliver high-quality care while advancing the profession. Along this journey, RN Resident Apprenticeships, mentorship opportunities, and Specialty RN Fellow Programs are avenues for healthcare systems to foster this growth mindset while boosting retention and job satisfaction.
RN Resident Apprenticeships
Transition to practice programs play a critical role in nurturing a culture of learning by integrating education, reflection, and ownership of practice into the earliest stages of a nurse’s career. According to the NCSBN (n.d.), the most successful transition to practice experiences support formalized programs to help RNs integrate into the clinical environment, a preceptor/mentor that has been trained for this role, and opportunities that create ample space for concept refinement, feedback, and reflection. When implemented effectively, a positive transition to practice experience can be the initial phase of expanding existing knowledge bases and encouraging career development.
Through utilizing the first year following graduation to refine clinical knowledge and build leadership skills in practice, RN Resident Apprenticeships prepare nurses to deliver safe, evidence-based care, while helping to establish learning as a defining feature of nursing practice. In creating a culture of learning, RN Resident Apprenticeships provide support that aids new grad RNs in adapting to the clinical setting while normalizing the idea that building knowledge is an ongoing part of professional practice.
Mentorship Opportunities
Mentorship/ Preceptorship models lifelong learning in action. Through this relationship, nurses engage in knowledge-sharing while receiving constructive feedback, creating an environment where curiosity and growth can excel. As explored by an article published in AORN Journal (2022), mentorship is an “informative strategy” that provides mentees with professional insight, guidance, and clinical development, while also helping the preceptor/ mentor hone their practice by strengthening their leadership and teaching skills.
With its benefits, mentorship plays a central role in cultivating an environment based on information exchange as it helps to transform education into an ongoing, relational process. As experienced nurses provide guidance on navigating the complexities of patient care, teamwork, and professional development, they encourage open dialogue, where new nurses feel safe to ask questions, reflect on experiences, and learn from mistakes without judgment. At the same time, mentors benefit by staying current on evidence-based practice, deepening their understanding through teaching, and staying engaged in their profession. Over time, these reciprocal relationships build trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growth.
Specialty RN Fellow Programs
An RN’s career can unfold in countless ways, and one way for nurses to find fulfillment on this journey is by investigating various specialties including emergency, acute care, critical care, perinatal, and perioperative in nursing. As one editorial in Cureus (2023) discussed, career pathways in nursing are pivotal to “the nursing profession's growth and the healthcare system's stability”. Career development opportunities can act as a tool in creating and sustaining a culture of learning as they offer nurses a pathway for professional advancement while reinforcing the value of continuing education.
One method for nurses to expand their practice is through Specialty RN Fellow Programs which encourage individuals to explore their professional interests while strengthening a robust pipeline of skilled labor. Through covering topics on clinical practice, professional standards, and leadership, nurses are empowered to provide skilled care that prioritizes patient outcomes through evidence-based practice. Helping RNs expand their knowledge, these programs equip the future of nursing with the knowledge to hone their specialty practice and become a preceptor/ mentor for novice nurses.
As identified in an article published in Nursing Management (2019), a culture of learning offers itself as a strategy for success in healthcare systems. As healthcare evolves every minute, caregivers who are prepared with the latest practices fresh in their minds are ready to deliver high-quality healthcare. Through RN Resident Apprenticeships, mentorship/ preceptorship opportunities, and Specialty RN Fellow Programs, continuing education fosters adaptable, confident, and competent caregivers while promoting positive patient outcomes.
References
Dennis, Vangie. (2022, August 25). The value of mentorship in nursing. AORN Journal, 116(3), 215-217. https://doi.org/10.1002/aorn.13769
Nashwan A. J. (2023). The vital role of career pathways in nursing: A key to growth and retention. Cureus, 15(5), e38834. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.38834
NCSBN. (n.d.). Transition to practice study results. https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/practice/transition-to-practice/study-results.page
Pabico, C., Perkins, C. K., Graebe, J., Cosme, S. (2019, February). Creating a culture of learning: A strategy for organizational success. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 50(2), 9-11.
To Cite This Article
Carden, I. (2025, October 15). 3 Ways to Nurture a Culture of Learning for Nurses. TruMont.
