title: Clinical Focus Program: enhancing the transition of senior nursing students to independent practice.
abstract: The Clinical Focus Program was designed to prepare senior nursing students for the transition to practice in the hospital setting. Through a series of 1:1 precepted clinical experiences, the students developed a broad base of clinical competencies and self-confidence in their nursing skills. Hospitals experienced reduced costs related to orientation and recruitment of new graduate nurses. The program also was valuable in building a network of collegiality and scholarship between education and practice environments.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Sciences Center, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792-2455, USA. tmharrison@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Tondi M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Marilyn Meyer
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bratt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004651:Employment; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014922:Wisconsin