Wheeling Hospital Creates Transition Program for New Nurses; First of its Kind in the Area
July 9, 2010
WHEELING, W.Va. – Creating a warm, graduate-friendly environment and providing interaction with experienced role models are among the goals of the recently-introduced Wheeling Hospital Transition Program for new nurses.
Wheeling Hospital is the first in the area to institute such a program, designed to close the “theory-practice” gap for new nurses through early exposure to a variety of venues, including classroom education, fellowship rotations in three or more hospital departments, skills lab, group discussion and case studies. The nurses will complete the 16-week program and evaluation before being hired to a specific unit or floor.
“We’re building a better, more solid nurse. At the same time we want to give them a strong foundation, help build their skills and their confidence,” said Corinna Marshall-Emmerth, manager/clinical educator for Nursing Staff Development, and creator of the Transition Program. “In school they get theory with minimal practice. This provides a realistic learning experience and allows them to build their self-confidence along with their nursing skills and knowledge.”
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 30 percent to 65 percent of new nurses leave the position in their first year of practice, resulting in an estimated replacement cost of $46,000 to $64,000 or more per nurse. The NCSBN study shows that newly-licensed registered nurses report significantly fewer errors when facilities have a transition program with specialty content.
“Transition programs reduce first-year turnover significantly and provide a positive return on the investment of new hires,” said Cindy Marsh, Wheeling Hospital vice president and chief nursing officer. “Our program will assist new graduate nurses transform from their broad comprehensive education to competent practitioners who are critically reflective and highly committed to nursing excellence.”
Marshall-Emmerth said, “Local colleges are already calling and asking how they can get their graduates a spot for next year.”
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Contact: Gregg Warren, Director-Public Relations and Marketing, 304-243-3260
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