Abstract
Poster presentation
Session E presented Tuesday, October 1, 10:00-11:00 am
Purpose: Design and implement a successful nurse residency program in the emergency department, addressing the nursing shortage and improving new nurse retention rates.
Design: This was a professional development project.
Setting: The facility is a large urban hospital, the regions only Level 1 Trauma and Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Participants/Subjects: All new graduate nurses hired into the E.D. participated in the program.
Methods: The structure of the nurse resident program was designed using evidence based practice, incorporating ENA Core Curriculum, simulation training and mentoring. The hospital has a nurse residency program as well, with seminars that meet once per month, however the Professional Development team felt it would not meet the needs of those that practice in critical care areas. The emergency department team designed a structured three month intense orientation that includes weekly eight hour sessions led by the Clinical Nurse Educator. Simulation based training is incorporated into each week along with didactic content. Past nurse residents are invited to lead discussions and attend many, fostering mentoring. Nurse residents continue to participate in the year long hospital program, benefiting from additional simulation and educational topics such as care taker fatigue, ethical implications and bullying in the workplace. Upon graduation, they complete an evidence based practice project, a poster of research and correlating initiative plan. Incorporating best practice into the training program aids in improving critical thinking and global awareness of department and hospital processes.
Results/Outcomes: The outcomes of the designed nurse residency program have been impressive and exceeded expectations. Over the last 4 years, forty four nurses participated in the program and to date 98% of completed their two year contract. Retention rates of the new nurses after the program was also impressive with 70.4% still employed within the department. Mentoring and supportive leaders impacted the professional development, with 11% having advanced into roles varying from charge nurse, lead preceptor, critical care transport and even an assistant nurse manager. Burnout and caretaker fatigue impact emergency department staff greatly, causing high rates of turnover. The design and implementation of such an evidence based nurse residency program has made a drastic impact in the retention and growth of new nurses, with nurses applying from all over the nation!
Implications: Emergency Departments struggling with recruitment and retention of nurses should seek to design and implement a nurse residency program utilizing similar structure. The program has proven effective at not only recruitment and retention, but professional development as well.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Nurse Residency Program, Retention, Professional Development
Recommended Citation
Kirk, Carrie, "Successful nurse residency program in the emergency department" (2020). General Submissions: Presenations (Oral and Poster). 147.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/gen_sub_presentations/2019/posters/147
Conference Name
Emergency Nursing 2019
Conference Host
Emergency Nurses Association
Conference Location
Austin, Texas, USA
Conference Year
2019
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Successful nurse residency program in the emergency department
Austin, Texas, USA
Poster presentation
Session E presented Tuesday, October 1, 10:00-11:00 am
Purpose: Design and implement a successful nurse residency program in the emergency department, addressing the nursing shortage and improving new nurse retention rates.
Design: This was a professional development project.
Setting: The facility is a large urban hospital, the regions only Level 1 Trauma and Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Participants/Subjects: All new graduate nurses hired into the E.D. participated in the program.
Methods: The structure of the nurse resident program was designed using evidence based practice, incorporating ENA Core Curriculum, simulation training and mentoring. The hospital has a nurse residency program as well, with seminars that meet once per month, however the Professional Development team felt it would not meet the needs of those that practice in critical care areas. The emergency department team designed a structured three month intense orientation that includes weekly eight hour sessions led by the Clinical Nurse Educator. Simulation based training is incorporated into each week along with didactic content. Past nurse residents are invited to lead discussions and attend many, fostering mentoring. Nurse residents continue to participate in the year long hospital program, benefiting from additional simulation and educational topics such as care taker fatigue, ethical implications and bullying in the workplace. Upon graduation, they complete an evidence based practice project, a poster of research and correlating initiative plan. Incorporating best practice into the training program aids in improving critical thinking and global awareness of department and hospital processes.
Results/Outcomes: The outcomes of the designed nurse residency program have been impressive and exceeded expectations. Over the last 4 years, forty four nurses participated in the program and to date 98% of completed their two year contract. Retention rates of the new nurses after the program was also impressive with 70.4% still employed within the department. Mentoring and supportive leaders impacted the professional development, with 11% having advanced into roles varying from charge nurse, lead preceptor, critical care transport and even an assistant nurse manager. Burnout and caretaker fatigue impact emergency department staff greatly, causing high rates of turnover. The design and implementation of such an evidence based nurse residency program has made a drastic impact in the retention and growth of new nurses, with nurses applying from all over the nation!
Implications: Emergency Departments struggling with recruitment and retention of nurses should seek to design and implement a nurse residency program utilizing similar structure. The program has proven effective at not only recruitment and retention, but professional development as well.