title: Information literacy during entry to practice: information-seeking behaviors in student nurses and recent nurse graduates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ability to locate information pertinent to guide clinical practice is important for quality nursing care and patient safety. To date, little is known about the transfer of information literacy skills as student nurses transition to clinical practice as new graduates. This study begins to address this gap from the perspective of student nurses, recent nurse graduates (RNs), nurse leaders and library staff.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the information-seeking behaviors of student nurses and RNs within their clinical settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive study that included both cross-sectional surveys and key informant interviews. Participants were senior-level undergraduate students and recently graduated RNs (graduated since 2008), and nurse leaders and library staff employed in one of the clinical sites accepting undergraduate students from the McMaster Mohawk and Conestoga BScN program. The study was completed in two large hospital corporations in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student nurses and RNs were invited to complete online surveys to assess their access to and use of information sources and resources within clinical practice. Students completed a survey comprised of five open-ended questions, while RNs completed a survey comprised of 13 fixed choice and open-ended questions. Nurse leaders and library staff participated in qualitative interviews to verify the extent and availability of information resources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen RNs and 62 students completed their respective surveys. Three categories of information sources and resources were identified: electronic, print and interpersonal. Electronic sources of information were the most used resource by both students and RNs. More RNs reported using interpersonal sources, while students reported using more print sources of information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent RN graduates meet the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing performance indicators related to information access for the entry to practice Nursing Informatics competencies.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: wahousho@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Olive
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wahoush
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: banfie@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Banfield
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D058980:Information Literacy; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009864:Ontario; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Baccalaureate; Clinical practice; Information literacy; Information seeking behavior; Information sources; Librarian; Library; Recent graduate nurse