How first experiences influence newly qualified nurses.

The beginning of a nurse's career can be a challenging time and first experiences can influence the retention of newly qualified nurses and their career progression. Nurses experience anxiety and lack of confidence as they make the transition from student to newly qualified nurse. St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, in collaboration with the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University/St George's University of London, embarked on an innovative programme of role and career development for newly qualified nurses that included a Signal Post Development Scheme. The scheme integrated preceptorship, clinical supervision, role development and leadership development together with a set of four periodic review points. At each review point the individual nurse had the opportunity to self-assess her or his own development and then meet with a senior member of nursing staff to receive feedback on development, progress and action planning. The self-assessment and signal post review was undertaken using the role description for band 5 nurses and the role description for band 6 nurses. Each signal post review enables progress, development and feedback to take place against progression along continua from the band 5 to the band 6 role description. An evaluative study of the scheme was undertaken, which demonstrated that band 5 nurses were largely positive about the scheme and the impact it had on their role and career development.