Document Type

Capstone

Associated Faculty

Dr. Valerie Herbert

Sponsoring Academic Department

School of Nursing

Publication Date

2025

Abstract/ Summary

Transitioning from nursing student to newly graduated nurse (NGN) is challenging. 17-30% of NGNs leave their first job within a year. NGNs report insufficient clinical preparedness secondary to increased stress and limited ability to transition knowledge to practice. The current traditional clinical model is eight students to one instructor, which leaves little time for individualized learning. An alternative model is the Dedicated Education Unit (DEU), where two students are paired with a unit staff nurse, providing more individualized training and full clinical immersion. The DEU model is two students to one DEU preceptor and one-unit clinical instructor. Effective implementation requires staff nurses to receive targeted training on working with students. This pilot study evaluates the DEU preceptors’ self-assessment before attending a professional development course for DEU preceptors and a post-course self-assessment. The Preceptor Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT-40) is a validated measurement tool utilized for this study. The PSAT-40 assesses three domains. The domains include (1) Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills; (2) Attitudes, Knowledge, and Understanding; and (3) Administrative Resources and Support. This study had four participants. Post training, participants demonstrated an average growth of 8.9% in all three domains, with individual improvement ranging from 5% to 16%. These findings provide a framework for further DEU preceptor training to help enhance the staff nurses’ preparedness and effectiveness to work directly with nursing students. Continued collaboration between nursing programs and healthcare institutions is essential to optimize the NGN transition to practice.

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