Employment through residency programs: a strategy to address the workforce crisis in psychiatric nursing.
Australia, like most countries in the world, is facing a crisis regarding the recruitment and retention of nurses. This situation is particularly notable for psychiatric nursing, a specialty not generally popular among undergraduate nursing students. To date, the nursing literature has tended to identify the problem, with less attention to the exploration of possible solutions. The aim of this article is to explore the literature concerning residency programs for nursing students. Although limited, the literature suggests potential benefits to this program, including improvements in competency and confidence, resulting in reduced need for lengthy orientation for new graduates and overall improvements in recruitment and retention rates for psychiatric nurses. In conclusion, residency programs for undergraduate nursing students could provide a useful strategy to improve the image of psychiatric nursing and attract new graduates. Further research is required to assess the applicability of this model in Australia.
Happell
Brenda
B
School of Nursing and Health Studies, Central Queensland University, Queensland, Australia. b.happell@cqu.edu.au
Gough
Karla
K
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce