Transitioning from Student to RN

Abstract

By Emma Sopko, Nursing; Camryn Hill, Nursing; Megan Sanders , Nursing; Erin Cronan, Nursing; Rachel Hatcher, Nursing

Advisor: Lori Catalano

Awards: Project Advisor Award: Excellence in Research Mentoring; Presenter Award: Excellence in Research Communication

Presentation ID: 209

Abstract: Transitioning from a nursing student to a registered nurse is a stressful and challenging process. Hospitals have implemented nurse residency programs and orientation programs to help the transition during the first year of employment. Less attention has been paid to pre-graduation programs and what can be done to help facilitate this transition prior to graduation. The purpose of our project is to educate second-year nursing students on the benefits of pre-graduation hospital employment, such as patient-care assistant (PCA) and Co-Op positions, when transitioning from a student to a registered nurse. An educational PowerPoint in a lecture format was created to present to second-year nursing students. Our presentation included: the roles and benefits of PCA and Co-Op positions, the various differences between hospital employment and clinical, and research that supports our educational findings. The second-year nursing students were given a pre- and post-lecture survey to measure their overall willingness to seek hospital employment prior to graduation. Of the second-year nursing students that completed the pre- and post-survey, there was an 8% increase in student willingness to seek out hospital employment prior to graduation. The increase in willingness shown by the students indicates that this was new and vital information.