Tailoring a graduate nurse program to meet the needs of our next generation nurses.

Graduate Nurse (GN) transition into clinical practice is recognised by nursing academics and clinicians alike as being problematic on a number of levels, particularly around GN support. The general consensus is that Graduate Nurse Programs (GNP) provided by health care organisations are the most effective strategy for providing support to GN during their first 12months in clinical practice. This study reports on the redevelopment of an existing GNP in response to GN feedback.

Is there a case for tailoring graduate programs for nurses who have previously practiced as Enrolled Nurses?

The nursing workforce in Australia, the UK and New Zealand has traditionally comprised two levels of nurse - the Registered Nurse (RN) and the Enrolled Nurse (EN). There is a significant difference in the role and scope of practice between the two levels. This difference is clearly reflected in the education required which, in Australia, is delivered the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector for ENs and in the tertiary education sector for RNs.

Using the WWW to teach undergraduate nurses clinical communication.

On-line learning is increasingly being used in nursing education. Nevertheless, there is still insufficient evidence to demonstrate: whether students respond positively when this form of learning is used to teach relatively practical or clinical subjects; whether it is effective; and whether it is fair to students with less access to, or familiarity with, computers and the internet. In 2003, an on-line Unit on clinical communication was developed for Australian undergraduate nurses in partnership between an Australian School of Nursing and the Department of Clinical Psychology.