Learning group: facilitating the adaptation of new nurses to the specialty unit

The nursing shortage creates major problems in finding qualified, experienced nurses in the critical care area.

A learning group was formed to expedite the new nurses' acquisition of skills and knowledge needed to care for critical care patients.

After 4 months of continuing education provided in the learning group, all group members had demonstrated their interest in learning. They also had demonstrated they were able to perform different procedures and skills according to the standards listed in the trauma intensive care unit nurses' manual.

The learning group is able to facilitate quicker adaptation and smoother transition of new nurses to the trauma intensive care unit. The continuing education provided by the learning group demonstrated support from the workplace and peers to the new nurses.