Ready, Set, Start: Mentoring Graduating Nursing Students During a Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Nurses are graduating from educational programs and entering health care systems at a time of great turmoil because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To support the transition to practice, nursing faculty implemented a postgraduation mentorship program (START). This exploratory study sought to describe the faculty mentor and new graduate mentee experience. Related variables (NCLEX pass rates, perceived stress, and professional quality of life) are provided to contextualize the results. The research is significant given the burden the pandemic places on the health care system, which may limit the resources available to new graduate nurses.

Incorporating Future of Nursing Competencies Into a Clinical and Simulation Assessment Tool: Validating the Clinical Simulation Competency Assessment Tool.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the validity of the Clinical Simulation Competency Assessment Tool (ClinSimCAT). BACKGROUND: The 2011 Future of Nursing report encouraged nursing programs to move toward a competency-based approach to education. As no tool was found to holistically evaluate nursing student competency in clinical and simulation settings, we developed the ClinSimCAT based on the Institute of Medicine recommended competencies. METHOD: A Delphi study with three rounds was conducted. A national sample of nursing education and simulation leaders was used to achieve consensus about the competencies. RESULTS: The process resulted in a set of 20 competencies across eight domains (patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, informatics, professionalism, and systems-based practice). CONCLUSION: The ClinSimCAT has demonstrated evidence of content validity and can be used for evaluation of clinical and simulation across a variety of undergraduate nursing courses.

After the Gap Analysis: Education and Practice Changes to Prepare Nurses of the Future.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition's work in identifying and addressing gaps between nursing education and practice based on the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report. BACKGROUND: Massachusetts Nurse of the Future (NOF) Competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors required for professional nurses. Integrating these concepts into the educational system will prepare the nursing workforce to respond to current/future health care needs and population health issues. METHOD: Education and practice partners in four regions conducted a gap analysis of the education to practice transition for new graduate nurses using NOF as a framework for assessment. RESULTS: Gaps in competencies were similar across regions. However, each organization uniquely addressed curricular gaps to best prepare nurses of the future. CONCLUSION: Curriculum improvements will provide students the advantage of being prepared for the rapid changes happening in health care.