Leveling Academic Preparedness for Graduate Nursing Students Through an Onboarding Program

Bibliographic Data

ID21455664
AuthorsKimberly Douglas (0000-0003-1804-3239, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi), Christina Ferrell (University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi), Margaret Fortenberry-Calcote (University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi), Jinny Bailey (University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi), J A Michelle Bailey (0000-0003-1533-4751, University of Mississippi Medical Center), Edmund J Y Pajarillo (0000-0003-1000-3160, Adelphi University), Karin Smith (0000-0002-2926-2771, Bradley University), Denise C De La Rosa (0000-0003-0012-0160, Texas Wesleyan University), Heidi Shank (The University of Toledo, College of Nursing, Toledo, Ohio.)
Year2025
Volume64
Issue11
Pages701-708
Publication date2025-11-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Nursing Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0148-4834 • E-ISSN: 1938-2421
PublisherSLACK, Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.3928/01484834-20250625-01
PMID41191421
OpenAlexW4415931379
LanguageEN
References cited10

BACKGROUND: Supporting graduate nursing students from diverse backgrounds who work full-time in the clinical environment is important in increasing retention rates for advanced practice nurses. Onboarding programs designed to connect students to institutional resources have demonstrated benefits such as reducing anxiety, reducing attrition rates, and improving academic preparedness. METHOD: This study used a convergent mixed-methods design to investigate the benefit of an onboarding program. In 2023, graduate students were enrolled in an onboarding course. At the end of the semester, students completed a survey measuring the benefits of the onboarding program and participated in virtual focus groups. RESULTS: A total of 194 graduate students were enrolled in the Student Success Corner. Sixty-seven students completed the online survey, and five students participated in four focus group interviews. CONCLUSION: The survey and interview findings were united in supporting the potential onboarding programs have for promoting the success of graduate students

Graduate students · MEDLINE · Nursing staff · Onboarding · Preparedness · Nursing education and management · Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership · Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare

Tools

Open DOI