Date of Conferral

12-12-2024

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Education

Advisor

Mary Garner

Abstract

Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense Healthcare Facilities are among the largest collective of healthcare management systems in the United States. The VA facility in this study has a nurse residency program for new hires and new graduate nurses but lacks a stable cohort of nurse educators to facilitate integration into care for a veteran population and to mentor skills and critical thinking. The purpose of this project was to create a sustained cadre of preceptors for a robust Registered Nurse (RN) program that will prepare recently graduated nurses and new hires for the unique set of situations that a VA facility. The clinical question was: Will an education program focused on the provision of nursing care for Veterans in an outpatient setting provide staff nurses with the knowledge and skill necessary to select and supervise relevant practice experiences?” The concept is to have trained educators to provide RN preceptorship to address the specifics of the veteran population. The educational program offers both didactic and simulated case studies. The student participants completed pre/post-testing in knowledge and self-confidence, resulting in the RN finding the ability to move smoothly within the VA healthcare system. Addressing the self-esteem of the participant nurses, it has been shown that better-trained nurses are more likely to stay within one system for much of their career, gaining that knowledge base to be successful in their career. The potential outcome is more knowledgeable and confident nurses positioned for the care of veterans into the future.

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