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Preparing Graduate Registered Nurses for Independence in Aged Care
Piper, Diane Carr, Sandra E. Jacob, Elisabeth
Piper, Diane
Carr, Sandra E.
Jacob, Elisabeth
Abstract
Background: Graduate registered nurses (RNs) start their careers working in a variety of clinical areas including aged care. However, they may not be fully prepared to work in aged care settings that often require them to work independently as the only RN on the premises. A list of essential clinical skills is crucial for supporting the development and effective transition of graduate nurses into aged care.
Aims: To identify and rank a list of essential clinical skills for graduate RNs working in aged care settings on commencement of practice.
Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was applied and included a modified Delphi Study and semi-structured interviews. Five expert aged care RNs engaged in the three iterative Delphi rounds and five graduate aged care RNs were interviewed to confirm the clinical skills and ranking from their perspective. Quantitative data were presented through descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Thirty-six essential clinical skills for graduate RNs working in aged care settings were identified and ranked by the experienced aged care RNs. Graduate RNs supported this list of essential clinical skills on commencement and identified palliative care as an additional skill required by graduate RNs working in aged care.
Conclusion: The derived essential skills offer aged care a guided approach to ensure that graduate RNs are work-ready, safe practitioners and supported to work independently.
Implications for Practice: The study recommends the essential clinical skills for graduate nurses transitioning in their role as RNs in aged care that will support safe, quality clinical care.
Keywords
aged care, clinical skills, competency, graduate registered nurses, nursing education, transition programmes
Date
2024
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Older People Nursing
Book
Volume
19
Issue
6
Page Range
1-10
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access
Open
Notes
© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Older People Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/