Residency for Transition Into Practice: An Essential Requirement for New Graduates From Basic RN Programs.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Clinical Practice Transition

Background:

• Nurse residency programs aim to support newly licensed nurses.
• Successful transition to independent practice is critical for patient safety and nurse retention.
• Existing transition-to-practice initiatives vary in structure and accreditation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose mandatory accredited nurse residency programs for all newly licensed nurses in acute care settings.
• To provide an evidence-based rationale for the proposed requirement.
• To inform policy and practice regarding nurse transition support.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of the scientific literature on transition-to-practice programs was conducted.
• An evidence table was developed to synthesize current research findings.
• Recommendations were formulated based on the synthesized evidence.

Main Results:

• The evidence table highlights the benefits of structured transition programs for newly licensed nurses.
• Data supports the effectiveness of accredited residency models in improving nurse outcomes.
• Gaps in current transition-to-practice program implementation and research were identified.

Conclusions:

• Accredited nurse residency programs are essential for the successful transition of newly licensed nurses.
• Mandatory participation in these programs is recommended for acute care hospitals.
• Further research is needed to optimize program content and evaluate long-term impact.