Are Nursing Programs Adequately Training New Graduates?

kayern · Jul 4, 2011

Absolutely! They need to be able to manage minimally 5 patients. I know that is difficult when one clinical instructor has a class of 8-10.

These novice nurses haven't a clue about time management or prioritization and there is no one to blame because they weren't exposed to it.

I interview new grads and all they want is to go to a critical care area. Forget about learning the basics and getting a good solid med-surg foundation, they want what they want and want it NOW.

Kyasi · Jul 5, 2011

In my never to be humble opinion... I think it is a shame that the diploma based hospital nursing programs were ended. I graduated being able to team lead an entire surgical floor because I had done it for 3 months in a Team Leading rotation. I also transitioned to Critical Care without any problem because of the many clinical hours I spent on the unit. I had more sense after working as a HHA for a year before I started nursing school then a lot of the student nurses I worked with. They were in a 4 yr BS degree program and who were just starting clinicals their Junior year.

(guess this comment shows my age!)

Kyasi

elkpark · Jul 5, 2011

In my never to be humble opinion... I think it is a shame that the diploma based hospital nursing programs were ended. I graduated being able to team lead an entire surgical floor because I had done it for 3 months in a Team Leading rotation. I also transitioned to Critical Care without any problem because of the many clinical hours I spent on the unit. I had more sense after working as a HHA for a year before I started nursing school then a lot of the student nurses I worked with. They were in a 4 yr BS degree program and who were just starting clinicals their Junior year.
(guess this comment shows my age!)
Kyasi

ITA. That was my thought, also, upon reading the OP. I graduated from a hospital-based diploma program many moons ago and graduated well-prepared to start practicing nursing with a minimum of orientation. Since then (and since returning to school more than once :)), I've taught in ADN and BSN programs -- and I'm truly shocked at how little nursing students learn about actual nursing in school now. No wonder employers are reluctant to hire them! And I want to be clear that I'm not blaming the students for this -- I blame the schools and the larger nursing establishment, for "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" in nursing education.

hope3456, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2011

I've wondered alot about this. Pretty much it is the reason that so many hospital jobs are only wanting 'experienced' nurses. there is so much nursing school does not teach - skills that can only be learned on the job and with practice.

elkpark · Jul 8, 2011

there is so much nursing school does not teach - skills that can only be learned on the job and with practice.

But the skills that you say "can only be learned on the job and with practice" used to be learned in nursing school. It isn't that they can't be taught in nursing school -- nursing schools have just quit teaching them.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 8, 2011

But the skills that you say "can only be learned on the job and with practice" used to be learned in nursing school. It isn't that they can't be taught in nursing school -- nursing schools have just quit teaching them.

I agree. But the answer isn't going back to diploma programs. We need to upgrade the BSN programs to include more/better quality clinical experiences and eliminate that "quickie" programs that pop out a new nurse in less than 2 years.

We need to combine the best of what the university-based programs have added to the profession and combine it with the best of what the diploma schools offered.

Kyasi · Jul 9, 2011

There was nothing quick about my diploma program. I went to school for the equivalent of 4 years in 3. It was gruesome! But I had an amazing education!

Kyasi

elkpark · Jul 10, 2011

There was nothing quick about my diploma program. I went to school for the equivalent of 4 years in 3. It was gruesome! But I had an amazing education!
Kyasi

Ditto.

llg, I wasn't specifically advocating a return to diploma programs, just challenging the common belief that skills can only be learned "on the job" and can't be taught in school. I agree that we need to identify the best that each model of nursing education has to offer and consolidate those elements to ensure that we are producing well-educated, competent graduates who are well-prepared to enter practice.

Sunflower3 · Jul 17, 2011

llg,

"We need to combine the best of what the university-based programs have added to the profession and combine it with the best of what the diploma schools offered."

I could not agree more with these comments. I attended a recent conference where the concept of 'Dedicated Education Units' was discussed, and I'm now in the process of replicating this model at my organization.

Essentially, it involves cross-training of the experienced staff RNs (who are interested) to be adjunct clinical instructors, with a 1:1 student/RN ratio. The clinical faculty are present on the unit and function as faculty oversight for the rotation. They provide weekly objectives to be covered during a given week's rotation.

Expected outcomes are that everyone wins: better student clinical education means higher quality new graduate RNs=better patient care outcomes. Schools of Nursing make the best use of their faculty resources, and the staff who choose to participate gain 'points' on the clinical ladder program at this organization, gain CE's for the training, etc.

Thanks,

Sunflower3

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 21, 2011

New grads are not prepared for hospital nursing. Period.

We have to orient them for several months and do not expect them to really get the hang of their job for at least one year or more. As for the question about what is most important for them to learn, I would say MASLOW's Heirarchy. Over and over we have safety issues and that should be the first thing the new grads should get solid on before practicing. Know how to be safe and how/when to get help.