GloStars: Gloucestershire Hospitals Staff transition and support network for newly qualified professionals

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Background

Research shows that newly qualified nurses (NQN) are either leaving the profession or feeling burnt out within the first three years of qualifying. NQN are finding it increasingly harder when entering the profession, with increasing workloads and expectations, alongside short staffing leaves NQNs feeling unsupported and fatigued.

Aim

To improve the experience of newly qualified professionals within the trust, by creating a network ‘GloStars’ to support new starters during their transition period. Aiming to improve retention and wellbeing of staff whilst supporting their development.

Method

Setting an aim and purpose using SMART Goals tool, we then developed a driver-diagram which identified our primary and secondary drivers. Following this we selected our target group (NQN preceptor’s Sept 18) we then collected pre-data from “cohort 1”. The pre-data was a mix-methods approach. We then took this data alongside our driver-diagram identifying three intervention. Prior to implementing these interventions, we used a PDSA cycle to help build a structured approach. The interventions used were as follows:

• Face to face newly qualified nurse ‘Ask me anything’ session.
• Set up Twitter account for GloStars and host a Twitter Chat on Student nurse to NQN.
• Ward walks and 1-1 chats.

These were then implemented to the new cohort (Cohort 2 March 19) during the 6 months of the preceptorship program. To monitor the outcomes of these interventions we chose to use a 5-point Likert scale to measure overall support during the first six months of transition. This was taken before and after the interventions.