RN Resident Apprenticeship Programs in Creating a Robust Nursing Workforce
When nurses begin their practice, they encounter a path filled with excitement, new experiences, and learning opportunities to develop their practice. It can also be one of adjustment when navigating a new job environment and transforming theoretical knowledge to be applied in the clinical setting. What’s one valuable tool that helps novice nurses navigate this journey?
Transition to practice learning experiences throughout their first year of practice. Programs like TruMont’s RN Resident Apprenticeship synthesize online learning modules with clinical experiences, alongside preceptor/ mentor guidance, to support new grad RNs in becoming competent and confident caregivers. Transition to practice support provides the tools and resources needed to nurture new nurses in developing the application of their clinical skills; helping to build their confidence, improve the retention of first-year RNs, and strengthen the collaboration of teams.
Building Confidence and Competence
The level of patient safety can be one of the most concerning outcomes from the difficulties facing the current nursing workforce. Learning alongside clinical experiences enhances the ability for novice nurses to bridge their knowledge to be applied in their workplace. This process reiterates concepts alongside their new clinical perspective to build their confidence and competence. Shortening the amount of time before new employees are productive while ensuring any gaps in knowledge or application are filled to facility standards.
Strengthening Nursing Teams
As new grad RNs develop their skills, incorporating mentorship/ preceptorship guidance can also help foster new relationships on nursing teams. By helping them acclimate to the demands of their new role through mentorship, novice nurses can foster new relationships on their nursing teams. Helping amplify the positive impact programs can have on nursing teams.
As one TruMont RN Preceptor put it, “The Nurse Residency program has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever participated in. As a nurse mentor I have learned so much from my preceptees. Each one of them has brought new knowledge and different perspectives to my practice. Watching each one learn and grow in knowledge and confidence, knowing that they will be working shoulder to shoulder with me gives me such a sense of satisfaction. I have had the pleasure of working with many of them as new nurses and they continue to show how well prepared they are. The Nurse Residency has changed not only the new graduates but also the mentors and units they work on.”
Improve Retention
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “more than half of nurses leave their role in the first two years”. Stabilizing the nursing workforce hinges on boosting the retention of first year nurses and RN Resident Apprenticeships create a structure for these caregivers to flourish in their roles. This supportive framework aids in reducing burnout, enhancing job satisfaction, and encouraging professional growth, all of which are key factors in retaining new nurses during their first year of practice.
The first step in strengthening the nursing workforce is ensuring novice nurses have a positive experience in their first year of practice. Transition to practice programs open the opportunity for new grad RNs to build their confidence, helping them own their practice, integrate into clinical teams, and explore their nursing interests. Bridging this gap from nursing school graduate to a long-term career in nursing, improves retention and fosters a robust workforce to take on the evolving future of nursing.
