Preceptor and Self-Evaluation Competencies Among New RN Graduates

Abstract

Four transition-to-practice programs for new RN graduates who had not yet found employment in nursing were based on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies of knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs). To support consistent evaluation of participants by preceptors, a 35-item tool was developed that used a 4-point scale to assess selected behaviors. This article describes the initial reliability and validity testing of the tool, which had good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92 for preceptor evaluation of participants and 0.82 when used as a self-evaluation tool. Six content experts evaluated the tool's face validity; it successfully discriminated between junior-level baccalaureate nursing students and nursing faculty. Although the tool does not exhaustively reflect the QSEN KSAs, it provides a way to assess competencies among new nurse graduates.

Lived experiences of new nurse graduates in critical access hospitals

“…As novice nurses transition from their educational programs, they need support and mentoring to assist them in this transition (Prion et al, 2015). Support programs designed to assist this transition might be lacking in rural areas with fewer resources when compared to urban areas (Sedgwick & Pijl-Zieber, 2015).…”

“…In addition to the retirement of experienced nurses, other factors might influence the nursing workforce. Nurses continue to seek out different jobs or leave the profession altogether as a result of dissatisfaction and burnout (Prion et al, 2015). One reason for burnout or increased stress might be the result of inadequate staffing or increasing acuity of nursing care services (AACN, 2017).…”

“…In an effort to help support new nurse employees, workplaces offer orientation programs that vary by resources, size of facility, and acuity of the clientele. While all new employees are best supported with orientation periods, it has been recognized that new nursing graduates especially benefit from the structure of orientation (Prion et al, 2015). Newer strategies such as nurse residency programs have been introduced successfully in urban settings or larger institutions (Pittman, Herrera, Bass, & Thompson, 2013).…”

“…He was excited about the fact that he might be able to take some additional certification courses needed for his position more quickly than some of his peers in an urban setting. Prion et al (2015) discussed that creating structure in new graduate orientation is especially of benefit to nurses but Sedgwick and Pijl-Zieber (2015) noted this type of support might be lacking in rural facilities or CAHs. Lack of structure seemed to be the case in the conversations with participants of this study.…”

Identification and exploration of nursing competencies required for newly graduated nurses in Korea​​​​​​​

“…√ Collaboration Project Further appraisal may be not feasible or appropriate when the answer is 'No' or 'Can't tell' to one or both screening questions 14. Prion et al (2015) Preceptor and self-evaluation competencies among new RN graduates Types of mixed methods study components or primary studies…”