Answer 3 for NURS 8502 Week 10 Discussion Impact of the Problem Impact of the practice problem initially identified.

Answer 3 for NURS 8502 Week 10 Discussion Impact of the Problem

Impact of the practice problem initially identified.

The practice problem initially identified is the lack of preceptors for both capstone students and nursing new hires. The facility has turned away multiple nursing capstone students due to a lack of preceptors. This impacts the facility in multiple ways. First, it creates tension between the facility and its academic partners because the nursing programs aligned with the facility expect support in the form of student preceptors. Second, the nursing students who have been turned away may harbor resentment towards the facility; therefore, they will be less likely to seek employment at the facility after graduation. This, in turn, impacts staffing as less new nursing graduates fill vacancies at the facility. Finally, nursing new hires are impacted by this problem as well. Capstone students require preceptors who have at least three years’ experience. This means the students are being given experienced preceptors which leaves the new hires with preceptors who are less experienced.

Describe the lasting impact of the practice change on the organization.

The practice change proposed is the implementation of an alternative preceptor model. Specifically, peer-assisted learning (PAL) will be used with capstone students. The PAL model pairs two students with one preceptor. The students collaborate with one another and assist each other’s learning. The preceptor oversees both students, but is less involved in their learning process (Nygren & Carlson, 2017).

Changing to the PAL model will allow the facility to accommodate more capstone students, which should substantially mitigate the effects of the problem. The ability to accommodate the students will ease tension between the facility and its academic partners and decrease the potential for students to develop negative feelings towards the hospital. Additionally, when capstone students have a good experience at the facility while in their final semester, they often choose to seek employment with the facility upon graduation. Many students choose to complete their capstone on units they are interested in working. This is ideal because it allows them to meet other staff members and helps determine if they are a good fit for the unit. Increasing the number of capstone students seeking employment at the facility will also help decrease staffing shortages. Finally, transitioning to the PAL model will leave some experienced preceptors available to train nursing new hires. This will be especially beneficial to new graduates needing the support of a qualified preceptor to help them transition into the role of a professional nurse (Hansen, 2021).

The facility’s overall goal is to increase the number of trained and competent preceptors. To meet this goal, preceptor certification training classes are held every month. There is also a preceptor development series that consists of six courses to be taken after the initial preceptor training has been completed. Finally, a preceptor council is being formed. This will allow those working as preceptors to have a platform to discuss challenges, barriers, and opportunities for improvement. As the preceptor group grows, the facility may decide to return to the married preceptor model. This, of course, will depend upon the success of PAL.