In response to: New nurse orientation
Dear Editor,
Such a wonderful tool! This article addresses such a pertinent topic in today’s nursing world. With the Baby Boomer population continuing to retire and leave the profession, there has emerged a dire need for new nurses in the field. As a nursing instructor, I can only imagine the level of stress that new graduates now face when transitioning into independent practice. The development of this checklist can not only establish a clear pathway for preceptees as they navigate the overwhelming onboarding process, but also serves as a formal and consistent means of communication between preceptor and manager. The patient population in the hospital setting can also be incredibly unpredictable, yielding inconsistent opportunities for learning. This tool provides a way to track learning to ensure all facets of onboarding are met. The article does mention the role of ‘preceptor’. I am curious whether the goal is to pair new hires with one preceptor, or if this role may be taken on by multiple individuals throughout the course of orientation? I can see benefits for both consistency with one primary preceptor, while also embracing new perspectives from different nurses and am curious how different organizations approach this issue.
Mary DiCristina RN, MSN
Madison, WI
