Nursing retention is a huge concern with one in five nurses leaving the profession in the first 2 years. Describe how socialization influences the role of the nurse educator. How can better socialization and integration of nurses into the profession be supported? What are some behaviors nurse educators can foster to improve retention and socialization into the profession?

Topic 4 How socialization influences the role of the nurse educator

Professional socialization is the basis of nursing practice which aims at developing nursing identity. Professional identity entails how an individual views themselves as a nurse in terms of skills and knowledge. According to Salisu et al. (2019), developing skills and knowledge is multidimensional and involves activities experienced either in the classroom, clinical area, or during extra curriculum elements. Nurse educators play a vital role in guidance and role-playing to ensure young nurses integrate skills, values, and knowledge to realize professional identity through socialization. From the start of nursing education to becoming a nurse, educators interact closely with nurses to make them confident and uplift their skills. Furthermore, educators constantly monitor, examine, and evaluate learners’ behaviors, skills, values, and knowledge while addressing socialization to help learners develop as responsible nurses. Achieving socialization requires educators to engage learners in various avenues, duties, activities, and resources. Continuous interaction between learners with other nurses, patients, families, friends, and other medical professionals enhances socialization.

How better socialization and integration of nurses into the profession can  be supported

Nurses’ development from novice to expert is a long journey that requires interdisciplinary cooperation and several activities. Enhancing socialization and integrating nurses into the profession can be achieved through mentorship and preceptorship. Mentorship can involve various activities, including role-playing, debriefing, and reflective activities that aim to achieve a seamless transition into the workplace and socialization (Innes & Calleja, 2018). Furthermore, nurse educators play a critical role in guiding and equipping learners to develop good communication skills, think critically, make clinical judgments, and promote patient safety. Instilling self-confidence in nurses also helps in achieving socialization.

Behaviors nurses can foster as nurse educators to improve socialization in the profession.

The concept of professionalism is rooted in the tenets of patient interactions, workplace environment, and interprofessional interaction. Fostering socialization acts as a basis for professional development. Nurse educators are vital in fostering socialization through the actions and instructions they provide (Innes & Calleja, 2018). The qualities depicted by educators influence the development of learners and their future practice as they try to emulate their educators. Therefore, nurse educators should uphold integrity, and honesty, show commitment, communicate effectively and involve patients to set an excellent example for others. Furthermore, educators should develop proficiency in the knowledge and skills they use to train others. Such moves will enhance socialization in the profession.

References

Innes, T., & Calleja, P. (2018). Transition support for new graduate and novice nurses in critical care settings: An integrative review of the literature. Nurse Education in Practice, 30, 62–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2018.03.001