Improving Knowledge in Newly Graduated Registered Nurses: A Collaborative Gastroenterology Experience Project

Transitioning to practice as a newly graduated registered nurse (NGRN) is becoming increasingly more challenging as our patients and the healthcare environment grow in complexity. Many NGRNs report feeling low confidence levels, increased stress, and a general lack of knowledge about various specialty areas of nursing when entering practice, which can result in poorer patient outcomes and may contribute to increased attrition rates in nursing. Exploring new ways to create positive transitions into practice for NGRNs remains crucial. Targeted experiences, focusing on knowledge gaps, such as in the field of gastroenterology, may enhance learning, increase confidence levels, and improve patient care. For this reason, an innovative Gastroenterology Experience Project (GEP), including targeted simulations and didactic content, was developed and implemented in a transition to practice program for NGRNs. The purpose of the GEP was to enhance NGRN knowledge of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic tests and procedures, understand the nurse's role as an effective team member, and promote safe and high quality nursing care before, during, and after GI interventions. This article discusses a unique collaboration between nurses from the education, simulation, and gastroenterology departments and NGRNs participating in a new nurse residency program at a large metropolitan health care system in the Midwest. The implementation of the GEP, as well as quantitative findings and NGRN reflections, will be discussed.