Perceptions, orientation, and transition into nursing practice of accelerated second-degree nursing program graduates

This study discusses factors that influence newly graduated accelerated second-degree nursing students to remain at the bedside. It also identifies areas for improvement within the program curriculum to better prepare these unique nursing graduates for the transition into nursing practice. Twenty-nine graduate second-degree nursing students were surveyed 3 months after graduation from an accelerated second-degree nursing program. Key findings indicated that preceptorship within nursing courses and orientation programs was the most significant factor in preparing the graduates for the transition from student nurse to registered nurse. Also important to the successful transition into practice was the acceptance and support of the nursing staff on the clinical unit. The participants overwhelmingly cited preceptorships, at both the student nurse and recent graduate levels, as critical to preparing them for the transition from student nurse to registered nurse.