Components and Strategies of Nurse Residency Programs Effective in New Graduate Socialization

Patient needs and practice conditions demand that clinical nurses in acute care hospitals engage in a unique professional practice role—care and management of clinical situations for multiple patients, simultaneously. Nurse Residency Programs (NRPs) facilitate the integration of Newly Licensed Registered Nurses (NLRNs) into this professional practice role through competency development in seven management areas. Purpose of this study was to identify effective components and strategies of NRPs in each area. A sample of 907 nurses in 20 Magnet hospitals with NRPs operative for at least 3 years participated in individual or small group interviews and 82 participant observations. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Effective strategies were identified for all but one of the seven management areas. Suggestions for improvement in NRPs to better meet NLRN professional socialization needs, patient outcomes, and challenges of the health care system today are offered.