Abstract
ABSTRACT: The demand for primary care providers in the United States is on the rise with projected shortages by the year 2025. The number of primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) is expected to nearly double from 2013 to 2025 in an effort to respond to the growing demand for primary care services both regionally and nationally. Nurse practitioners are key to addressing the current and future shortage of health care providers, especially in primary care. However, novice NPs face a significant challenge when transitioning from the registered nurse role to the advanced practice role, which can affect job satisfaction and retention. The purpose of this project is to assess the implementation of a structured Clinical Transition Program (CTP) embedded within a family NP (FNP) educational program as a learning strategy to strengthen readiness to practice and promote successful role transition in the novice FNP graduate. The CTP includes primary care clinical placements as well as specialty clinical rotations and intentional clinical placements in varied settings, including those in rural and underserved areas. Participation in the program had a positive effect on perceived readiness to practice for students at graduation and 9 months after graduation. Nurse educators, armed with the knowledge of the importance of successful role transition for the new NP, must continue to develop, implement, and assess educational opportunities that promote and support readiness to practice within existing NP programs.