To the Editor, Dr Gould:

I recently enjoyed reading J. Hayes' article, "Beginning Your Professional Career: Advice From a Chief Nursing Officer" (2015).1 As a nurse who works for an organization that partners strategically with health care organizations to onboard newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) into the profession, I wanted to share a few additional suggestions for a successful transition into the role of professional nurse. Hayes clearly and succinctly articulates several key pieces of advice for those looking for their first registered nurse (RN) position. First, I would advise NLRNs to pursue their first RN role at an organization that provides a robust nurse residency program to support the transition from student to professional nurse. It has been established that first-year turnover of NLRNs can be reduced from between 40% to 60% to 10% or less through the implementation of a nurse residency program.2 Once in your first RN position, take advantage of every opportunity provided in the initial years of nursing practice to learn all that you can, to establish yourself in the profession, and to build a solid toolkit of experiences and cultivate habits of teamwork, time management, patient advocacy, and delivery of safe, quality patient care. This will create the foundation needed for the next phase of your professional career, whatever that may include. Lastly, I would encourage any NLRN to find a mentor to help you navigate a successful transition from student to professional nursing practice.3 With as many as 55% of current nurses intending to retire by 2020, it will be critical for nursing leaders to support NLRNs for successful transition into this amazing profession.2

Respectfully submitted,

Tammy Franqueiro, BSN, RN-BC

Editor-in-Chief

[email protected]

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