Transforming Practice Transition with an Academic-Practice Partnership

Abstract

<p>Standards of Professional Performance for NPD practitioners challenge us to &ldquo;collaborate with interprofessional teams, leaders, stakeholders, and others to facilitate nursing practice and positive outcomes for consumers&rdquo; (ANPD, 2016, p 52). The knowledge, skills and behaviors of successful collaboration were especially relevant when discussions were held between a large mid-west hospital system, an academic university partner, and a third party national nurse residency. The challenge was to bring stakeholders together to identify the differences between the performance expectations of the NGRN by the organization and those competencies required to successfully complete an accredited RN program. The goal of the partnership was to design, develop, implement and evaluate a standardized student nurse (SN) Capstone experience. The program was initiated in the summer of 2015.&lt;br /&gt; This presentation describes the initial &ldquo;rules of engagement&rdquo; and lessons learned between organization and academic educators to create a prototype transition program. Educators from diverse backgrounds met to identify 29 competencies that were expected practice for the NGRN. These competencies then provided the structure for a prototype transition program that was initiated during the student nurses&rsquo; senior experience. Select student nurses went through a rigorous interview process and were offered positions dependent on meeting program criteria. The Capstone was provided on preferred units with the understanding that upon graduation and licensure the SN was transition to the organization&rsquo;s new graduate residency program. An overview of this innovative program is provided along with outcomes and evaluations over a 2-year period.</p>