Postbaccalaureate nurse residency 1-year outcomes

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Graduate Nurse Transition

Background:

• The transition from academic settings to clinical practice is a critical phase for new graduate nurses.
• Residency programs aim to support this transition, enhance clinical skills, and improve retention.
• The University Health-System Consortium and American Association of Colleges of Nursing developed a national postbaccalaureate residency program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 1-year outcomes of a jointly developed postbaccalaureate nurse residency program.
• To assess resident termination rates and factors influencing program completion.
• To analyze resident experiences and satisfaction throughout the program.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 679 residents across 12 sites participated in the study.
• Data were collected at program entry, 6 months, and 1 year.
• Validated instruments included the Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey, Gerber's Control Over Nursing Practice Scale, and McCloskey Mueller Satisfaction Scale.

Main Results:

• The overall 1-year termination rate was 12% when excluding participants lost due to licensure failure, illness, or death.
• Analysis of survey data provided insights into resident experiences and perceived control over practice.
• Satisfaction levels among residents were measured and discussed.

Conclusions:

• The postbaccalaureate residency program demonstrates a low termination rate, suggesting effectiveness in supporting new graduate nurses.
• The program appears to positively influence graduate nurse experience and control over practice.
• Further analysis is warranted to fully understand the long-term impact and optimize program design.