Enhancing Transition to Nursing Practice: The Mental Health Immersion Experience.
Anita L Peters1, Lisa A Weber, Nancy Cichra
1About the Authors The authors are employed by the Department of Nursing Education, Veterans Administration Northeast Ohio Healthcare Systems, Cleveland, Ohio. Anita L. Peters, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is nurse educator for mental health nursing. Lisa A. Weber, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is nurse educator for the community living center. Nancy Cichra, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is chief nurse, education, simulation, and safe patient handling. Laura Goliat, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, is program director for the Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or Office of Academic Affiliations. We would like to thank our stakeholders for their participation in and support of this project. For more information, contact Dr. Goliat at laura.goliat@va.gov .
New nurses often lack confidence in mental health care post-COVID-19. An innovative immersion experience within a new-nurse residency program aims to build essential skills and confidence for managing complex patient needs, including veterans.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Mental Health
- Healthcare Education
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges globally.
- Nurses face increasing demands caring for diverse patient populations with complex mental health needs.
- Newly graduated nurses often report insufficient confidence and skills for mental health care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an innovative mental health immersion experience.
- To integrate this experience into a new-nurse residency program.
- To enhance nurses' confidence and competence in mental health care.
Main Methods:
- A mental health immersion experience was developed.
- The experience was strategically integrated into a new-nurse residency program.
- The program targeted nurses transitioning into practice.
Main Results:
- The article discusses the design and implementation of the immersion experience.
- It highlights the strategic integration within the residency program.
- Focuses on addressing the confidence and skill gaps in new nurses.
Conclusions:
- Innovative educational strategies are crucial for preparing nurses for complex mental health care.
- New-nurse residency programs offer a valuable platform for specialized skill development.
- Addressing the confidence and competency gap is vital for quality patient care.
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