Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
10:07
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
19.6K
A Newly Licensed Nurse Orientation Program Evaluation: Focus on Outcomes
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
|January 19, 2017
Summary
A redesigned nurse orientation program significantly improved critical thinking skills in new nurses. Skills in prioritization, delegation, and problem recognition continued to advance beyond the initial six months.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Professional Development
- Clinical Skills Assessment
Background:
- Newly licensed nurses (NLNs) require robust orientation programs to develop essential clinical competencies.
- Traditional orientation programs may not adequately prepare NLNs for complex patient care scenarios.
- Critical thinking is a vital skill for safe and effective nursing practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a redesigned orientation program for newly licensed nurses.
- To assess the impact of a simulated four-patient assignment on critical thinking development.
- To measure changes in critical thinking skills and confidence levels over time.
Main Methods:
- A redesigned orientation program incorporating a simulated four-patient assignment was implemented.
- Critical thinking was assessed using the Advisory Board's Critical Thinking Diagnostic tool at 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.
- The assessment covered five critical thinking categories: prioritization/delegation, problem recognition, decision-making, implementation, and reflection.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in all five critical thinking categories were observed between 10 weeks and 6 months.
- Further significant increases in prioritization/delegation and problem recognition occurred between 6 and 12 months.
- Newly licensed nurses reported enhanced confidence and readiness for independent practice.
Conclusions:
- The redesigned orientation program, including simulation, effectively enhances critical thinking in newly licensed nurses.
- The program demonstrates sustained improvement in key critical thinking skills beyond the initial orientation period.
- The findings support the integration of simulation-based assessments in nursing orientation to foster critical thinking and confidence.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Nursing Evaluation
4.6K
The evaluation stage signals the end of the nursing process. The nurse gathers evaluative data to assess whether or not the patient has attained the expected results. Whereas the nurse collects data in the nursing assessment to identify the patient's health concerns, the evaluation stage data determines if the indicated health issues are resolved. Evaluative data collection includes two sections: the data acquired to evaluate patient outcomes and the time criteria for data collection.
4.6K
01:20Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching III: Evaluation and Documentation
2.7K
Evaluation of the teaching process enables the nurse to determine if the patient's learning needs were met and if training was effective. If the expected outcomes are not met, the care plan is revised, and additional education or reinforcement is provided. Nurses can ask questions after the session or obtain feedback to assess the patient's understanding of the topic.
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning,...
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning,...
2.7K
01:08Role of Communication in the Nursing Process III: Evaluation and Documentation
2.2K
A successful patient outcome depends mainly on the evaluation stage of the nursing process. Evaluation determines effectiveness by reviewing what was done previously after the completion of nursing interventions. Every time a healthcare professional steps in or administers treatment, they must reassess or evaluate the action to ensure the intended result. During the evaluation phase, there are three probable patient outcomes:
2.2K
01:11Guidelines for Writing Outcome
4.2K
When developing expected outcomes for a patient care plan, the nurse should adhere to the following recommendations:
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care...
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care...
4.2K
01:15Nursing Implementation
6.5K
Implementation is the execution of the nursing care plan developed during the planning phase.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
6.5K
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
2.1K
Nursing organizations play a vital role in representing nurses working in specialized clinical settings, such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
2.1K