Study: Academic, practice should partner to acclimate novice nurses

Nursing practice leaders say 45% of novice nurses practice competently, demonstrating the need for academic and practice partnerships to better prepare novice nurses for practice. Researchers sent a web-based survey to practice leaders across the country; they accepted 396 responses, with results published in Nursing Outlook. The authors call for exposing novice nurses to clinical experiences early and often; investing in internship and externship programs, teaching care processes, effective communication and interprofessionalism; integrating novice nurses into practice communities; and prioritizing efforts to retain experienced nurses. They call on policymakers to fund workforce initiatives that design and evaluate novel training modules. The authors also cite a recommendation from an AONL report on nurse manager retention for practice leaders to provide development for nurses assuming leadership roles. (Nursing Outlook article, 4/14/25)