The development of a transition to practice framework for nurses newly hired to acute adult inpatient psychiatry

Background: There is currently an international, national, and provincial nursing shortage that is expected to persist into 2030. The province of Nova Scotia has implemented several initiatives to recruit and retain nurses; however, shortages remain in specialty areas such as inpatient psychiatry. A transition-to-practice (TTP) program tailored to meet the needs of nurses newly hired to an acute adult in-patient psychiatry (AAIP) unit in the province is needed; however, a TTP framework to guide the development of the program is a necessary first step. Purpose: The purpose of this practicum project was to develop a TTP framework for an AAIP unit in Nova Scotia to guide the development of a TTP program for nurses newly hired to this area of practice. Methods: To inform the development of this framework, a rapid literature review, consultations with key informants, and an environmental scan were conducted. Results: Results of the rapid review, consultations, and environmental scan provided valuable information regarding the structure, content, and implementation of TTPs in AAIP settings. Information regarding the evaluation of TTPs was a noted gap. Conclusion: The AAIP TTP Program Framework developed as a part of this practicum project will provide the necessary parameters within which to engage in the next steps of content development, implementation, and evaluation of a TTP program in an AAIP unit in rural Nova Scotia.