Orienting new nurses
to a fast-paced environment
Trisha Stravin, RN, CNS
As
a clinical
nurse specialist (CNS) on Children’s Hospital Boston’s inpatient
cardiac unit, my role is to ensure that every member of the unit’s
nursing staff has the support and clinical expertise to deliver
exceptional, family-centered care. Since getting used to an acute,
fast-paced environment can be overwhelming for new nurses, we’ve
developed a successful preceptor program to support new nurses
in their transition to autonomous members of the team.
The preceptor program creates one-on-one relationships between
new nurses and experienced, highly motivated preceptors trained
in adult learning principles, conflict resolution and mentorship
techniques. Over the course of six weeks, preceptors pay close
attention to new nurses’ strengths and weaknesses, documenting
concrete expectations of progress, discussing successes and creating
an action plan to overcome challenges. Additionally, each new
nurse and preceptor meets regularly with me to discuss his or
her goals and progress. By the end of the six-week program, new
nurses have received concrete, constructive feedback and have
created action plans for achieving both short- and long-term professional
goals.
