Pushing the Limits of New Grad Orientation: Transforming Into an ED Nurse

Abstract

<p>New graduate nurses (NGN) are by their very nature novices: task oriented learners who thrive in consistent environments with clear expectations for growth and development, and discrete rules of performance and behavior. However, NGNs are entering the workforce with an increasingly diverse set of lived experiences and skillsets, and therefore a significant challenge of the professional development practitioner&rsquo;s role is to provide environments and opportunities specific to each NGN.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; A regional multi-site level one trauma center, with an accredited NGN program, has an incredible opportunity and burden to welcome high volumes of NGNs. With limited preceptors, finding creative solutions to hire, onboard, and orient these NGNs is a priority &ndash; and emergency settings are no exception with a high need for new staff and limited preceptor availability to orient them. It is possible to tap into a largely underutilized preceptor pool within a float team: nurses who have exceptional critical thinking ability and a vast amount of clinical experience. Orienting with the float team provides a NGN with both a breadth and depth of experience, and the opportunity to learn flexibility and adaptability in the work place &ndash; skills essential to emergency settings.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; This presentation will discuss a pilot program of multi-site inter-team collaboration between a float team and 5 emergency department locations to orient a NGN to the emergency setting. This collaboration incorporated several levels of leadership and professional development practitioners across multiple sites. The process and steps involved will be discussed, as well as the outcomes experienced and the success of the new graduate throughout this role transition and transformation.</p>