Books 2 Bedside

Overview

Initiative type

Education and Training

Status

Deliver

Published

27 November 2020

Topic

Nursing

Summary

This organisational based, multi-faceted approach workshop assists student nurses to build on previously learnt knowledge and skills to improve their clinical practice, prior to their commencement as a registered nurse. Partnering with Central Queensland University, the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) educational team provides training around clinical, professional and organisation shortfalls the students may be experiencing, in a safe and flexible environment.

Key dates: Aug 2017 - Apr 2020

Implementation sites

Rockhampton Hospital

Partnerships

Central Queensland University (Rockhampton Campus)

Aim

The Books 2 Bedside program is an organisational based workshop, developed for Bachelor of Nursing students to bridge the professional clinical and organisation deficits experienced by some students, when preparing to transition from student to Graduate Registered Nurse.

Outcomes

  • Decrease in culture shock
  • Exhibits supportive environment
  • Increase in retention
  • Familiarisation with Nurse Educators
  • Understanding of organisational expectations

Background

Feedback from students indicated that they did not feel prepared transitioning from students to Registered Nurse in the CQHHS. The delay in finishing university and the commencement of a graduate position could be months for some students, therefore they wanted an opportunity to consolidate or reverse previously learnt skills.

Methods

  • Workshop designed to be variable and cater to students and organisational needs with topics such as:
  • Infection control principles
  • Assessment and clinical observations
  • Medication safety-administration, IV preparation and delivery (including syringe drivers and Guardrail guidelines)
  • Simulation based activities, including:  recognition of deterioration (delirium, sepsis) , diabetes management and paediatric care.
  • Organisational process, including access to policies and procedures
  • Interview skills

Discussion

The workshop is run several times a year to capture student nurses prior to Graduate Nurse interviews and before commencement of the graduate intake.

  • Positive participant evaluations
  • Graduate interview feedback
  • Verbal feedback from preceptor on ward

Lessons learnt

  • Time constraints - only eight-hour workshop
  • Participants found it challenging to comply with CQHHS documentation
  • Participants reported that they wanted more simulation

References

Burger J L, Parker K, Cason L, Hauck S, Kaetzel D, O'Nan C, et al. Responses to work complexity: The Novice to Expert Effect. Western Journal of Nursing Research. 2010 32(4): 497-510.10.1177/0193945909355149.

Henderson A, Ossenberg C, Tyler S. "What matters to graduated': an evaluation of a structured clinical support program for newly graduated nurses. Nurse education in practice. 2015 15(3): 225-31.

Ankers MD, Barton CA, Parry YK, A phenomenological exploration of graduate nurse transition to professional practice within a transition to practice program. Collegian. 2018 25(3):319-25 10.1016/j.colegn.2017.09.002

Woods C, West C, Mills J, Park T, Southern J, Usher K. Undergraduate student nurses' self-reported preparedness for practice. Collegian. 2015 22(4):359-68.10.1016/j.colegn.2014.05.003

Schwartz S. Eduacating the Nurse of the Future - Report of the Independent Review of Nursing Education.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publiscations/educating-the-nurse-of-the-future. Published 2019. Accessed on December 12th, 2019.

Key contact

Karen Day

Nurse Educator

Central Queensland HHS

Email:  karen.day3@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: April 2025

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