Special Needs of Entry-Level Master's-Prepared Nurses from Accelerated Programs

Jessica, a new graduate nurse, has just begun her first job after graduation from an accelerated nursing program. She has a degree in biology and chose nursing as a second degree to be more directly involved in helping people. Her educational path was a generic master's degree in nursing, and she is now hired on a med/surg unit. Though she graduated at the top of her class and passed her licensing exam on the first attempt, Jessica is struggling with time management and is unfamiliar with some clinical skills. She feels uncertain and nervous compared to traditional associate-degree nurses (ADN), who seem to be more comfortable in the nurse role. As a nurse leader, you need to orient, coach, and develop this new nurse to your unit.