Experiences of registered nurses in a general practice-based new graduate program: a qualitative study. 2019

Susan McInnes, and Elizabeth Halcomb, and Karen Huckel, and Christine Ashley
School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; and Corresponding author. Email: smcinnes@uow.edu.au.

Nurses are increasingly needed in primary healthcare settings to support community-based healthcare delivery. Programs to facilitate transition of new graduate nurses are well established in acute care; however, there are few similar programs reported in settings like general practice. This paper sought to explore the experiences of new graduate registered nurses and their registered nurse mentors in a new graduate program within Australian general practice. New graduates (n = 9) and their mentors participated in interviews before, during and at the conclusion of a 12-month new graduate program. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim before being analysed using thematic analysis. Eighteen new graduate and 10 mentor interviews were conducted, revealing four themes. Preparation and Opportunities describes the influence that pre-registration education had on preparing nurses for general practice employment. Exceeding Expectations highlights the positive experiences within the program. Program Challenges draws attention to the difficulties experienced by participants, and Future Career Intentions explores future career plans. This study highlights that a general practice new graduate nurse program has the potential to build the workforce. However, strengthening undergraduate preparation of nurses around primary health care and addressing funding issues in general practice, are important to promote the success of such programs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009722 Nurse Practitioners Nurses who are specially trained to assume an expanded role in providing medical care under the supervision of a physician. Nurse Practitioner,Practitioner, Nurse,Practitioners, Nurse
D002983 Clinical Competence The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care. Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D004510 Education, Nursing, Diploma Programs Programs usually offered in hospital schools of nursing leading to a registered nurse diploma (RN). Graduates are eligible for state examination for licensure as RN (Registered Nurse). Nursing Education, Diploma Programs,Diploma Programs, Nursing,Diploma Program, Nursing,Nursing Diploma Program,Nursing Diploma Programs,Program, Nursing Diploma,Programs, Nursing Diploma
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001315 Australia The smallest continent and an independent country, comprising six states and two territories. Its capital is Canberra. Canton and Enderbury Islands,Christmas Island,Christmas Island (Australia)
D013338 Students, Nursing Individuals enrolled in a school of nursing or a formal educational program leading to a degree in nursing. Nurses, Pupil,Pupil Nurses,Nursing Student,Nursing Students,Student, Nursing,Nurse, Pupil,Pupil Nurse
D058006 General Practice Patient-based medical care provided across age and gender or specialty boundaries. Practice, General
D024802 Nurse's Role The expected function of a member of the nursing profession. Nurse's Scope of Practice,Nurses Role,Nurses' Role,Nurse Role,Nurse Scope, Practice,Nurse's Roles,Nurses Roles,Nurses Scope, Practice,Nurses' Roles,Practice Nurse's Scope,Practice Nurse's Scopes,Role, Nurse's,Role, Nurses,Role, Nurses',Roles, Nurse's,Roles, Nurses,Roles, Nurses'

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