A longitudinal survey of nurses' self-reported performance during an entry to practice programme

Performance expectations are a critical issue in the transition from student to practising nurse for both nurses and their employers. We conducted a study to compare self-reported changes in both frequency and quality of performance of nursing behaviours in a cohort of Aotearoa/New Zealand recently graduated nurses undertaking a one year entry to practice programme. Thirty-three nurses were surveyed, seven weeks after beginning the programme and again seven months later, using a modified version of Schwirian's (1978) Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance (6-DSNP). Over the study period participants reported significant increases in frequency of performance for the domains of leadership, critical care, teaching/collaboration, and planning/evaluation. Significant increases in the quality of nurse behaviours in the domains of critical care, planning/evaluation and interpersonal relations/communication were also reported. The modified Schwirian 6-DSNP was found to be a useful instrument for measuring nurses' self reporting of performance during periods of transition.