title: Providing orientation programs to new graduate nurses: points to consider.
abstract: Staff educators know the importance of orientation for nurses and strive to develop effective orientation programs in both general and specialized clinical areas. However, little is written about what constitutes a 'good' orientation, especially for the new graduate. This article provides a summary of the current literature on nursing orientation and provides an overview of various timelines utilized in different settings, frameworks to guide the development and implementation of an orientation and a brief description of the mentor and preceptor roles. Implications for staff educators, nurse managers, and the organization are described.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. baxterp@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Pamela Elizabeth
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D019091:Critical Pathways; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008611:Mentors; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D011231:Preceptorship; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D013663:Teaching