Report on Image of Nursing Committee Survey By Azariah Torain , 2022-2023 Imprint Editor and Chair , Image of Nursing Committee
Greetings NSNA members ! Before I delve into the report , I would like to briefly explain what the Image of Nursing ( ION ) is all about . It was established as an NSNA committee in 1993 with the mission to dispel the public ’ s negative stereotypes about the nursing profession and replace them with positive ones . The unfortunate reality is that nurses also have tendencies to view themselves problematically . When we sum up innovation , academic excellence , and compassion as ‘ just ’ being a nurse it undermines the power of this profession . We kept this in mind as we set our committee theme for this year as “ Rewriting Nursing ’ s Narrative .”
We hypothesized that if we highlighted the many ways students can expand their involvement in the profession , we can reaffirm that nursing is much more than day-to-day tasks . After much deliberation , the ION Committee got together and decided to center our work around three recently passed resolutions . From the California Nursing Student ’ Association , we selected “ Increasing Student Awareness of Nurse Residency Program ’ s Effects on New-Graduate Confidence and Retention Rates .” From San Diego State University , we chose “ Increase Student Nurse Awareness of Professional Nursing Organizations and Their Role in Health Policy Advocacy .” From the Student Nurses ’ Association of South Carolina , we picked “ In Support of Educating About and Advocating for Intersectional Cultural Humility .”
The common theme between these resolutions was fostering growth in nursing students . In the fall of 2022 , we released a survey to the NSNA membership so we could garner a sense of what students already knew about nurse residencies , nursing organizations , and cultural humility . We identified a clear knowledge gap in all three areas . As education is a key role of the nurse , we figured we could provide some helpful tips as you begin your nursing journey .
Rundown on Residency Programs Nurse residency programs have risen tremendously in popularity since being recommended in the Institute of Medicine ’ s 2010 The Future of Nursing report . They are designed to build confidence in new nurses ’ ability to critically think , prioritize , delegate , lead , resolve conflict , and more . These programs differ from a typical orientation in that they start with 1 to 3 months of pre-clinical coursework before nurse residents engage in patient care . Programs accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing ( AACN ) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ) last 6 to 12 months and include simulations , peer debriefing , case studies , and mentorship . During your job hunt , be wary that not all residencies are created equal . Residency programs don ’ t need to be accredited , leading to “ differences in length , content , structure , and outcomes ” ( NurseJournal . org , 2022 ). For our purposes we will be referring to AACN / CCNE accredited programs only . So , what ’ s the deal ? Is applying to a residency program worth it ? That is solely up to you to decide ! Here are some of the likes and dislikes from nurses who have done it .
So , what ’ s the deal ? Is applying to a residency program worth it ? That is solely up to you to decide ! Here are some of the likes and dislikes from nurses who have done it .
40 NSNA IMPRINT • APRIL / MAY 2023 • www . nsna . org