title: A nurse transition program for orthopaedics: creating a new culture for nurturing graduate nurses.
abstract: Successful training and initiation of new graduate nurses is a critical concern for the entire healthcare industry. Current literature reports that as many as 80-90% of new graduate nurses will leave their job within the first year of employment (Bradley, 2001). In summer 2001, the inpatient orthopaedic department of a large community hospital in the southeastern United States was faced with significant recruitment and retention issues. In response, a new nurse graduate transition program was developed for the orthopaedic specialty. This program uses an adult learning model and a single dedicated preceptor. In addition to clinical experience, the program provides special attention to the development of professional behavior, relationship building, and critical-thinking skills. During the next 2 years, the program produced eight new orthopaedic nurses with a first-year turnover rate of 0%. In addition, this program has positively influenced other areas of importance for RN recruitment and retention, including quality of care, patient satisfaction, and staff satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Systems, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Christine H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Orsini
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011231:Preceptorship; D016730:Program Development; D015144:Southeastern United States; D000078329:Workforce