The transition from student nurse to registered nurse seems to happen in a flash. One day you’re a student nurse with the backup of a nurse in charge, and the next you’re managing provision of care with responsibility for your own patients. Starting your post-qualification career in nursing can be as daunting as it is exciting.
Although the three year nursing course is structured to provide sufficient knowledge and experience in preparation for the transition to qualified professional, some student nurses in their final year can feel anxious about losing a degree of support and suddenly doubt whether they have adequate knowledge to care for patients.
The key to an effective transition period is a well structured preceptorship programme that allows newly qualified nurses to develop their confidence and grow into their new role. A preceptorship programme is not currently a mandatory requirement, and while some NHS trusts are very pro-active in supporting newly qualified nurses, this is not always the case in the private sector.
Student nurse and previous guest host on NurChat, @PixieLizziee, has suggested this chat to provide an opportunity for student nurses and registered nurses alike to share their thoughts about making the transition to registered nurse. The discussion will look at the following points from a student nurse point of view:
- ‘How can I be properly prepared when I qualify?’
- ‘How do I prepare a portfolio?’
- ‘How do I work effectively as part of a new team?’
First hand advice from experienced nurses is so useful for student nurses about to qualify, so we will also be asking,
- ‘What tips can you give to a student nurse about to qualify?’
- ‘What resources have you found beneficial?’
- ‘What advice can you give in relation to preparing for a job interview?’
The discussion will also look at preceptorships:
- ‘How long should an ideal preceptorship period be?’
- ‘Is there a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the content of it?’
- ‘Should a preceptorship include inter-personal skills and team management training?’
Above all, this NurChat is about pulling together resources and sources of support for the benefit of all student nurses soon to enter the profession as fully-qualified practitioners.
Join us on the 19th February at 8pm GMT to share your views with the nurse community, let’s help and support each other!
Nursing Standard: Transition to staff nurse can be a daunting, but positive experience
NurChat.co.uk 26/09/2012: Making placements positive
Nursing Standard: Preceptorship gets qualified nurses off to a flying start
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