Transition to Practice: The Use of Virtual Clinical Replacement During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on New Graduate Nurse Readiness.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study investigated graduate nurse readiness for practice after receiving virtual clinical replacement experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: The pandemic led to the closure of clinical sites for many undergraduate nursing students. Nurse educators replaced the hospital setting with virtual clinical replacement experiences, potentially affecting readiness for practice in graduate nurses. METHOD: The Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey was used to collect data in the areas of demographics, comfort level with skills, work environment stress, job satisfaction, role transition, and the impact of the virtual clinical experience on transition to practice. Descriptive statistics and independent t -tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: The virtual clinical replacement experience was statistically significant with greater confidence in providing for patient safety, stronger professional communication/leadership skills, and recognized support in the workplace. CONCLUSION: The use of virtual clinical replacement experiences had a positive impact on new graduate nurses' transition to practice.