Home | Incentives | Support Programs for the Graduate Nurse | Unit Information
New RN Transition Program:West Virginia University Hospitals recognizes and appreciates the stressors nurses experience when beginning their careers. To assist the new graduate to smoothly transition from an academic nurse to the role of a professional nurse, WVUH involves every new graduate in the New RN Transition Program. The goal of the program is to provide the new graduate with a supportive environment that promotes self-direction and professional growth and development. The new RN Program consists of the following:
Transition Coordinator
The Transition Coordinator provides guidance and support, develops working relationships, and offers resourceful information including, going back to school, tuition assistance, childcare, and benefits. The Transition Coordinator meets with the new graduate weekly during orientation to identify concerns and to answer any questions. Peer group meetings are available to discuss organizational and time management skills, and other hospital related topics.
One-on-One Mentorship
All new graduates will be assigned a mentor who will work 1:1 with them throughout orientation, developing a strong relationship and promoting consistency throughout the orientation process. Together, the mentor and the new graduate will identify individual learning needs and incorporate them into the orientation pathway.
Unit Based Orientation /Education Pathway
Unit Based Orientation is a group of workshops and computer based learning programs that are valuable to the clinical and professional development of the graduate nurse.
The Education Pathway involves setting weekly goals, referring to a unit based skills checklist, and performance evaluations. The goal of the Education Pathway is to provide structured guidelines and improve consistency for the new graduate.
Clinical Preceptor
Each nursing unit has a Unit Clinical Preceptor who is directly involved in the assessment of the new graduates learning needs, the development of the graduates orientation and education plan. The Clinical Preceptor actively provides clinical and professional direction for the success of each new graduate nurse.
Management
Unit Managers actively participate in the orientation by providing continuous support and coordinating meetings with the new graduate and the mentor to discuss achievements, expectations, and goals.
