Abstract
Retention of nurses is a continuous topic focused in all levels of nursing. New graduate nurses have a higher turnover rate due to lack of support and lack of education causing them to find an alternative position. Transition programs can aid in retention of new graduate nurses. The aim of this paper is to explore best practices for transition programs for new graduate nurses in improving retention rates. An integrative literature review was used to find supportive literature of transition programs and retention of new graduate nurses. Twenty-eight articles were found. Results of the literature review showed transition programs involving mentorship or residency programs were most effective in to retain new graduate nurses for the practice they started in. These programs improved confidence, competence, and reduced the turnover of these nurses. Benner’s Novice to Expert Model is the conceptual theory that was considered that aligns with transition programs, specifically considering each step of a new graduate nurses transition into practice. This theory starts at the novice or beginner level and ends at the expert level for the nurses. Their knowledge of nursing should be exponentially grown from novice to expert which is the goal of transition programs. The evidence was fair, with some limitations. Some of the literature did not have statistical evidence within their results making it somewhat difficult to support the evidence of effectiveness. In conclusion, it was found that transition programs not only increase levels of confidence and competence in new graduate nurses, but also reduce cost to the organization with less turnover. The implications for nursing include improved confidence of new graduate nurses and reduced turnover with the need to train multiple nurses into the practice. Recommendations include how organizations could work to implement a form of a transition program within their organization to support new graduate nurses, such as nurse leaders, nurse educators, and leaders of the organization and how to implement and measure the benefits of the program. Overall, it was found that a transition program can aid new graduate v nurses to transition into the practice and help maintain within the practice.
Date of Completion of Thesis/SIP
Spring 3-14-2024
Document Type
Scholarly Inquiry Paper (SIP)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Diane Forsyth
Location
Rochester, MN
Recommended Citation
Sandland, Karissa, "Transition Programs for New Nurses in Practice" (2024). Nursing Masters Papers. 410.
https://openriver.winona.edu/nursingmasters/410
