An Evaluation of Traditional Versus Virtual Nurse Residency Programs on New Graduate Nurses’ Perceptions of Preparedness to Provide Safe Patient Care

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse residents’ perceptions of preparedness while learning in a virtual environment remains unknown. This cohort study compared nurse residents’ perceptions of preparedness in traditional in-person versus virtual learning environments. Results found no statistically significant differences between these two groups over 1 year. This demonstrates that a virtual learning format can achieve comparable outcomes to a traditional in-person learning format in successfully transitioning newly licensed nurses into the profession.

Associations Between the COVID-19 Pandemic and New Nurses’ Transition to Practice Outcomes: A Multi-site, Longitudinal Study

“…Content validity was reported previously for both surveys ( Casey & Fink, 2015 ; Fink et al, 2008 ; Healy et al, 2022 ). We conducted an internal consistency reliability analysis for the survey measures using baseline (0 months) data in the studied sample and found acceptable Cronbach alpha scores across all multi-item scales: support (.826), patient safety (.734), communication/leadership (.755), professional satisfaction (.768), job satisfaction (.849), collaboration (.727), leadership (.965), commitment (.926), and advocacy (.951).…”

“…The outcome measures included the following scales from the Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey ( Casey & Fink, 2015 ; Fink et al, 2008 ; Healy et al, 2022 ): support (9 items; e.g., “I feel supported by the nurses on my unit”), patient safety (5 items; e.g., “I feel I may harm the patient due to my lack of knowledge and experience”), overall stress (1 item: “I am experiencing stress in my personal life”), communication/leadership (6 items; e.g., “I feel comfortable communicating with patients and their families”), professional satisfaction (3 items; e.g., “I am satisfied with my chosen nursing specialty”), and job satisfaction (9 items; e.g., “Satisfaction with work responsibilities”). Outcome measures also included the following scales from the Nurse Resident Progression Survey that were used in prior research ( Healy et al, 2022 ): advocacy (18 items), collaboration (6 items), leadership (13 items), and commitment (14 items). Total scores were divided by the number of questions, resulting in a score that corresponded closely to the Likert scale used for the survey questions.…”

“…This period, known as TTP, has been extensively studied in research conducted prior to the pandemic ( Aldosari et al, 2021 ; Chappell & Richards, 2015 ; Dwyer & Hunter Revell, 2016 ; Goode et al, 2018 ; Mellor et al, 2017 ; Tyndall et al, 2018 ; Warren et al, 2018 ). Additionally, research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TTP is now emerging ( Alsalamah et al, 2022 ; Bultas & L’Ecuyer, 2022 ; Crismon et al, 2021 ; Healy et al, 2022 ; Powers et al, 2022 ; Smith et al, 2021 ; Ulmen et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Two published studies examined the outcomes of new nurses who participated in standardized TTP programs. Healy et al (2022) conducted a single-site study of 99 new nurses in the United States comparing a pre-pandemic cohort of new nurses participating in an in-person Vizient/AACN NRP to a pandemic cohort of new nurses who participated in a virtual Vizient/AACN NRP. The authors reported no differences across scores from the Casey–Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey that measured new nurses’ perceptions of support, patient safety, stress, communication/leadership, professional satisfaction, and job satisfaction, and the Vizient/AACN NRP Nurse Resident Progression Survey that measured advocacy, collaboration, leadership, and commitment.…”

“…Furthermore, the pandemic caused interruptions to many hospitals’ TTP programs, which negatively impacted new nurses ( Crismon et al, 2021 ; Bultas & L’Ecuyer, 2022 ; Smith et al, 2021 ). Although the existing research provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TTP for new nurses, it is limited to single sites and small samples ( Alsalamah et al, 2022 ; Bultas & L’Ecuyer, 2022 ; Crismon et al, 2021 ; Healy et al, 2022 ; Powers et al, 2022 ; Smith et al, 2021 ). The purpose of the present study was to expand the knowledge base on the topic by examining the differences across several standardized TTP measures in multiple cohorts of new nurses across 13 hospitals in Southeast Texas who participated in the Vizient/AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) Nurse Residency Program (NRP) before and during the pandemic.…”