From the Frontlines to the Future: Emergency Department Nurses' Advice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Nurse educators are challenged to bridge the gap between academia and the health care environment to provide nursing students with the knowledge and skills to ensure their readiness to practice. With limited traditional clinical experiences, many new graduate nurses begin their careers in high-stress environments such as emergency departments. Methods: A convenience sample of 66 emergency department nurses completed two qualitative survey questions related to their experiences working with new graduate nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Results: Respondents reported lack of clinical skills was the biggest weakness observed in new graduate nurses. Four themes were identified: protection and unpreparedness, thirst for knowledge, burnout, and support and self-care; these themes built the foundation for the overarching theme of resilience. Conclusion: Nurse faculty must be able to support students' transition into a rapidly changing health care environment. Student preparation should focus on skill building, communication, self-care strategies, and resilience. [ J Nurs Educ . 2022;61(12):711–715.]