Methods

  This research project was a non-experimental survey, mix method design to assess whether new graduate nurses are being taught about the importance of nursing rounds during orientation. A survey was developed by the author and distributed amongst new graduate nurses to help to collect data about their knowledge regarding nursing rounds and the set up of their orientation program. The survey provides a brief description of nursing rounds and the positive impact on nursing care.

  The questions were developed to allow the respondents to discuss the health care setting in which they practice, the length of their orientation, and their familiarity with nursing rounds. The survey was not tested before administration. Consent to take part in the research project was implied after the survey had been completed and returned. The survey was distributed to a nursing class that had graduated in May 2008. This class consisted of 35 students, four males and 31 females, ages ranging from 21-50. All students were part of the same nursing classes and had successfully graduated in nursing taking jobs in a variety of settings. The surveys were originally sent out through their school email accounts and they were given two weeks to complete the survey. A follow-up email was sent to remind them of the survey. Any responses that were received after the due date were not considered part of the response rate.

  After all surveys had been collected, the results were tabulated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SSPS, for statistical analysis. Answers to open ended questions were used to determine specific themes and analyzed in that way. After all of the statistical data had been analyzed, the general trends were determined and conclusions were drawn.

Results

  Out of the 35 people who received the survey, 14 people completed the survey, representing a 40% response rate. Responders were all females, ranging in age from 21 to 50. The amount of time that the new graduate nurses had been employed was not determined; however, they were all within 10 months post graduation. There were 12 responses prior to the follow up email and two responses after the follow up email. This low response rate is likely due to the fact that the email account that the survey was sent to was their school account and because they graduated 10 months ago, many of the new graduates do not check the account frequently.

  It was reported that the new graduate nurses were employed in similar health care settings. Hospitals were the most reported employment facility at 86%, while 7% reported that they worked in a rehabilitation hospital and 7% worked in a psychiatric ward. Forty-three percent of the nurses worked on a medical-surgical floor, 21% were in critical care, 7% were in pediatrics, 7% were in oncology, 7% were in psychiatry, 7% were float nurses, 7% were in the post anesthesia care unit and there were no respondents working in the emergency room. Orientations for these floors were not shorter than 5 weeks, with 21% reporting that their orientation was 5-8 weeks, 50% reporting that they had an orientation of 9-12 weeks, and 7% had an orientation of 13-16 weeks.

  Three respondents wrote a separate response. One new nurse (7%) reported that she had orientation for four months and then would continue to take pediatric nursing classes for the next two years. Two other nurses (14%) responded that their orientation was six months long. After orientation, 79% of the new graduate nurses thought that they were ready to work by themselves while only 21% felt that they were somewhat ready.

  Regarding nursing rounds, 71% had heard about nursing rounds prior to working, 14% had somewhat heard about them and 14% had not heard about nursing rounds at all. Only 50% of the nurses were told about nursing rounds during orientation, while 14% had somewhat heard about them and 14% had not heard about them at all. The new graduate nurses did report however, that 64% of them do participate in nursing rounds now, 29% somewhat participate and only 7% do not participate. Eighty-six percent of respondents did know the benefits of nursing rounds and only 14% reported that they somewhat knew the benefits of nursing rounds.

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