title: Exploring the Structure and Content of Hospital-Based Pediatric Nurse Residency Programs.
abstract: This paper presents the results of a national survey of pediatric nurse residency programs (NRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) database was used to identify 316 hospitals with pediatric units, including children's hospitals and community hospitals with pediatric services. The Residency Task Force of the Institute of Pediatric Nursing (IPN) developed the survey, Exploring Pediatric Nurse Residency Programs. Survey items addressed structure, content, outcomes, benefits and challenges of NRPs, including a comparison with orientation programs and use of preceptors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 316 hospitals contacted, 65 provided usable information and 45 reported having an NRP. Most (94%) of the hospitals have an orientation program, and 70% had an NRP. The NRPs were typically internally developed (60%) and a year in length (46.5%). Most common content (>80%) included critical thinking, stress management, small group support, professional role transition, pediatric resuscitation, and evidence based practice. Evaluation of the NRPs included measures of satisfaction, turnover rates, and standardized measures, primarily the Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey (48.7%). Challenges include obtaining financial support from the organization, developing content relevant across units, providing time away from clinical units, and maintaining preceptors. Benefits noted included development of professional role confidence and peer support networks, increased safe nursing practices, and a decrease in nursing turnover.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the ongoing development of NRPs in children's hospitals, issues such as appropriate content, optimal length, standardization across settings, impact on nurse retention, safe practice and patient outcomes all need to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: The Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO.
authors.forename: Janis B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Cook Children's Medical System, Fort Worth, TX.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubinson
authors.affiliation: Medical City Children's Hospital, Dallas, TX.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Echtenkamp
authors.affiliation: Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brostoff
authors.affiliation: The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA. Electronic address: ann-mccarthy@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D000072222:Nurses, Pediatric / Q000193:education*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Children’s hospitals; Nurse residency programs; Pediatric units