New graduate nurses need floor time to practice their skills and training to increase confidence and competence .
To Build , or Not to Build
This is a decision that frequently comes down to resources , money , and personnel . Many healthcare organizations have a nurse residency program in place that ’ s been developed in-house by expert clinicians well versed in providing a superior level of training and mentorship . On the other hand , there are plenty of other healthcare settings where it simply makes more sense to utilize a vendor program that provides support , updates , and evidence-based curriculum ready-made for their staff .
Neither approach is inherently better or worse . In either scenario , there can be unexpected problems and ongoing issues that hinder success for the program . Some common issues include :
• Cost barriers : This is a 6- to 12-month program in most cases , and can mean significant upfront costs , not to mention expenditures for ongoing maintenance of the program .
• Nurse educator staffing : Finding experienced nurses academically qualified to provide the level of training and support necessary for a residency program can be difficult , even in the largest of facilities . This is particularly true in today ’ s environment , when healthcare is still battling high turnover rates .
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