Efforts to maintain a sufficient nurse workforce are hampered by dissatisfaction with the work environment. Incivility in the work environment is a major source of dissatisfaction. A healthy work environment is associated with higher levels of job satisfaction and improved retention. New graduate transition programs have been recommended as a deterrent to high levels of turnover associated within the first two years of employment, some of which is related to incivility. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the influence of incivility in the nursing workplace on new graduate job satisfaction and determine if there is an association between participation in new graduate nurse transition programs and satisfaction with the work environment. A systematic review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE- EBSCOhost, PsycInfo, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Sixteen studies, which met search criteria, were reviewed. Themes that emerged included workplace incivility, nurse residency programs, mentoring through preceptors, and empowerment. Findings indicated that incivility in the workplace was a significant predictor of low job satisfaction in new graduate nurses. While graduate nurse transition programs are associated with improved satisfaction and retention rates for these nurses, nothing in the literature indicated that graduate nurse transition programs had a direct impact on empowerment and job satisfaction related to the incivility these nurses experience.

In a report on the nursing shortage, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing cited insufficient preceptors as one of the factors influencing the decreased intake of nursing students to registered nurse (RN) programs, thus compounding the shortage issue. The site selected for this project was a teaching hospital that annually facilitates hundreds of nursing students for clinical practice. Graduate nurses rotating through the hospital are assigned to work with RNs within their assigned units. The purpose of this doctoral project was to develop a preceptor training program for RNs in a teaching hospital. The practice-focused question examined whether RNs would identify perceived competence and understanding in the preceptor role as a result of preceptor training. Knowles'€™s adult learning theory and Benner'€™s theory of skills acquisition framed the project. Participants (N = 7) completed a 2-week didactic and clinical training in preceptorship. As a result of the educational intervention, the preceptor trainees reported an increase in knowledge, skills, and confidence in the preceptor role. Seven participants (100%) expressed that the training was interesting, relevant, beneficial to their work, and stimulated sharing. The implications of this project for positive change include the potential benefits to new and experienced graduate nurse preceptors by reducing feelings of inadequacy, stress, and burnout and enhancing job satisfaction. Additionally, graduate nurses who work with competent, confident preceptors experience less anxiety, improved job satisfaction and a smoother transition to the role of professional nurses prepared to deliver quality health care to patients. Improving preceptor-graduate nurse experiences may result in reduced turnover among nurses and improved customer experiences.

Introduction: A nurse preceptorship is essential in the transition period (TP) of novice nurses. Especially in intensive care workplaces, where training for highly specialized and demanding care is provided. TP thus becomes a sensitive period in which the employee decides whether to remain in the workplace or even in the profession. Methodology: This is qualitative study with the main focus of the survey on the specific experience of preceptors with TP management. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews with preceptor nurses in one selected workplace of intensive care. Data analysis was performed in 4 steps, open coding and sorting of data into categories and subcategories were used. Results: Six main topics were identified: Preceptors' experience from their own transition, TP organization attributes, Evaluation and feedback, The role of the preceptor nurse, Critical moments and Factors influencing the TP. The experience of trainers from their own TP is a significant predictor for their individual way of training and leading novice nurses. Evaluation and feedback have a culture and should be performed regularly in cycles to achieve the purpose. The preceptor has many roles, participates in the creation of social relationships with the novice, he himself strives to establish...

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Nurse residency programs (NRPs) have been identified as a means to promote transitioning of new nurses into the professional nursing role. Questions have arisen related to which elements within those programs are most meaningful to the development of new nurses. As the nursing shortage drives the need for quick transition and development of nurses to meet workforce needs, nursing must identify what is meaningful to nurses in their transition to practice. The purpose of this multi-site study was to explicate meaning from the experiences of newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) who have just completed NRPs. The research question was “What factors have meaning for NLRNs who have experienced transition to practice in nurse residency programs in acute care settings?” Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from six NLRNs from three different NRPs after completion of their programs. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, themes and variations within those themes were derived from the descriptive narratives provided from participant interviews. Overarching themes identified were Relationships, Reflection, Active Learning, Resources and Organizational Systems. Findings have implications for practice and education as the nursing profession strives to find ways to transform nurses in an effective and efficient manner.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Factor H is a newly identified phenomenon which describes a constellation of attributes of the new graduate nurse reflecting personality traits, intellectual abilities, and clinical judgment. In a previous pilot study conducted by this researcher nurse managers and experienced Registered Nurse (RN) preceptors described characteristics demonstrated by new graduate nurses demonstrating Factor H and the new graduate nurse’s ability to transition quickly and successfully into the RN role in the acute care environment. There is currently no instrument available to measure this phenomenon. The specific aim of this research was to develop and psychometrically test a scale designed to identify the presence of attributes of Factor H in the new graduate nurse. The Sims Factor H Assessment Scale (SFHAS) was developed and piloted with a sample of one hundred one new graduate nurses within three months of completing the their nursing program at one of three nursing schools in central and south central Indiana. Evidence of content validity was demonstrated through the use of the Content Validity Index conducted with a panel of four experts. Evidence of face validity was demonstrated through interviews with a group of new graduate nurses, nurse managers, and experienced RN preceptors. Principle Axis Factoring with Varimax rotation was used to demonstrate evidence of construct validity and the scale was found to have a single component which was identified as nursing personality. Evidence of criterion-related validity was demonstrated utilizing analysis of the SFHAS and the criterion scale for personality traits (NEO-FFI). Evidence of internal consistency reliability was demonstrated through analysis of inter-item correlations, Cronbach’s coefficient correlations, and item-total correlations. Test re-test reliability using interclass correlation was also conducted to demonstrate stability of the scale. The SFHAS was found to be reflective of nursing personality and not general mental ability or clinical judgment. Use of the SFHAS will allow organizations to evaluate the nursing personality of the new graduate nurse for fit into the work environment. Further study is recommended to gain clarity around the attributes which support successful transition of the new graduate nurse into practice in the acute care environment, also known as Factor H.