(62) Nurse Residency Program: A Hong Kong Perspective on Ways to Improve Competency of Newly Graduated Nurses

Dr. Nancy Man-Ching CHEUNG^1
1Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Ltd., Hong Kong SAR

Background: In Hong Kong, new nursing graduates have experienced intense psychological and intellectual challenges during their transition from a novice to primary practice nurse. Although the HK Hospital Authority has implemented the preceptorship scheme to address the adaption and retention of newly graduated nurses since 2002, the gap between theoretical and pragmatic is still existed. A stressful working environment without the required competence can create a high turnover rate for new nurses and affect the quality of care.

Content
The fundamental shift in nursing education in Hong Kong since 2000 from hospital-based training to collegiate education had generated a significant gap in clinical practice between the nursing academia and the healthcare industry. However, an effective transitional program to bridge the gap between theory and nursing practice has been lacking, even at the baccalaureate level. With the Institute of Medicine (2010) report recommendation on nurse Residency programs (NRPs) to facilitate transition to practice, there have been tremendous growth in NRPs in the USA. Significant outcomes on improving proficiency and retention of new graduates had been reviewed in the literature. The author proposed that introduction of NRPs in the acute hospitals in Hong Kong might facilitate new graduates successfully transition from didactic to practice.

Discussion
Impacts of the NRPs on the learners, clinical nurses, and the healthcare organizations were being discussed. Barriers to the implementation of NRPs were further elaborated.

Conclusion
NRPs have found to benefit all stakeholders involving ranging from nurses to healthcare organizations. In light of the augmented acuity and complexity of patients admitted to the acute hospitals, being able to deliver competent patient care is crucial in nursing practice. Therefore, the author recommended that NRPs can help to ensure a smooth transition of new graduates to competent practice nurses, improve turnover, and enhance the quality of care.

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