Melnic Consulting Group Survey on Transition to Practice for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Initial Report
Last Modified: 08/02/2011

1. We have an orientation or transition to practice program in place to develop a new Pediatric Nurse Practitioner graduate into a compentent advanced practice nurse at my hospital.:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Yes		40	47%
2	No		46	53%
	Total		86

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	2
Mean	1.53
Variance	0.25
Standard Deviation	0.50
Total Responses	86

2. Our transition to practice program has a duration of:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	0-2 months		34	48%
2	2-6 months		27	38%
3	6-12 months		9	13%
4	Longer than 12 months		1	1%
	Total		71

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	4
Mean	1.68
Variance	0.56
Standard Deviation	0.75
Total Responses	71

3. What is the minimum years of experience as a Registered Nurse in a specialty or related area do you prefer when you hire a new Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) graduate:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Less than 1 year		5	6%
2	1-2 years		22	27%
1	2-4 years		37	54%
2	4-6 years		22	27%
1	more than 6 years		4	5%
	Total		83

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	5
Mean	2.89
Variance	0.88
Standard Deviation	0.94
Total Responses	83

4. Mentor during the transition to practice program: Mentor is a trusted confidant in the workplace, who offers support, guidance, and who helps work through problems. (please rate the following):
#	Question	Very Rarely	Rarely	Sometimes	Often	Very Often	Response	Mean
1	Mentors are assigned to PNPs at the beginning of the orientation period.	20	3	9	22	18	72	3.21
2	PNPs are asked to find their own mentors during orientation.	36	14	10	5	6	71	2.03
3	Mentors can be physicians.	13	10	20	17	30	73	3.10
4	Mentors help PNPs set specific goals.	12	9	21	22	9	73	3.10
5	Mentors help PNPs establish a peer network.	8	7	24	25	9	73	3.27
6	PNP's meet/interact with their mentors frequently.	10	7	15	23	16	71	3.39
7	Mentors receive specific training for their role.	29	15	11	10	6	71	2.28
8	Mentors are trained to measure stress levels of PNPs.	41	15	9	5	1	71	1.73
9	Mentors work in different units from their mentees.	38	13	10	8	1	70	1.87
10	Mentors work in different units from their mentees.	34	11	10	8	8	71	2.23
11	Conversations between a mentee and mentors are confidential.	8	3	22	19	8	71	3.54
12	We do not have a mentorship program included in our transition to practice program.	17	7	8	7	18	57	3.04

Question	Min Value	Max Value	Mean	Variance	Standard Deviation	Total Responses
Mentors are assigned to PNPs at the beginning of the orientation period.	1	5	3.21	2.45	1.56	72
PNPs are asked to find their own mentors during orientation.	2	5	2.03	1.71	1.31	71
Mentors can be physicians.	1	5	3.10	1.81	1.35	73
Mentors help PNPs set specific goals.	2	5	3.10	1.59	1.26	73
Mentors help PNPs establish a peer network.	1	5	3.27	1.31	1.15	73
PNP's meet/interact with their mentors frequently.	2	5	3.39	1.76	1.33	71
Mentors receive specific training for their role.	1	5	2.28	1.83	1.35	71
Mentors are trained to measure stress levels of PNPs.	2	5	1.73	1.06	1.03	71
Mentors are trained to observe emotional changes of the PNPs.	1	5	1.87	1.27	1.13	70
Mentors work in different units from their mentees.	2	5	2.23	2.06	1.44	71
Conversations between a mentee and mentors are confidential.	1	5	3.54	1.57	1.25	71
We do not have a mentorship program included in our transition to practice program.	2	5	3.04	2.75	1.66	57

5. During the transition to practice program (please rate the following):
#	Question	Very Rarely	Rarely	Sometimes	Often	Very Often	Response	Mean
1	PNPs are given clear definition of their role.	7	6	11	35	16	75	3.63
2	PNP patient loads are based on an evaluation of key procedures that they must perform.	5	12	23	23	12	75	3.33
3	PNPs have clear performance standards and goals.	13	10	20	17	30	73	3.10
4	Self-assessment is part of the PNP evaluation process.	2	3	11	40	17	73	3.92
5	PNP's are able to perform duties and make decisions in their role when they complete the transition to practice program.	1	2	10	39	19	71	4.03
6	PNPs modify their actions when they receive feedback.	1	0	21	40	12	74	3.84
7	PNPs receive objective feedback related to their performance.	2	5	12	42	12	73	3.78
8	Physicians should participate in PNP evaluations and feedback.	2	2	7	42	21	74	4.05
9	PNPs evaluate the transition to practice program and provide feedback.	5	6	16	34	11	72	3.56

Question	Min Value	Max Value	Mean	Variance	Standard Deviation	Total Responses
PNPs are given clear definition of their role.	1	5	3.63	1.40	1.18	75
PNP patient loads are based on an evaluation of key procedures that they must perform.	1	5	3.33	1.28	1.13	75
PNPs have clear performance standards and goals.	1	5	3.61	1.05	1.03	75
Selfassessment is part of the PNP evaluation process.	1	5	3.92	0.80	0.89	73
PNP's are able to perform duties and make decisions in their role when they complete the transition to practice program.	1	5	4.03	0.66	0.81	71
PNPs modify their actions when they receive feedback.	1	5	3.84	0.55	0.74	74
PNPs receive objective feedback related to their performance.	1	5	3.78	0.81	0.90	73
Physicians should participate in PNP evaluations and feedback PNPs evaluate the transition to practice program and provide feedback.	1	5	4.05	0.74	0.86	74
PNPs evaluate the transition to practice program and provide feedback.	1	5	3.56	1.15	1.07	72

6. Please rate the following emotional factors that might be present during the transition from a new grad to independently practicing PNP.
#	Question	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Responses	Mean
1	The transition can be emotionally stressful.	0	0	4	32	42	78	4.49
2	The transition can feel overwhelming.	0	0	5	31	42	78	4.47
3	PNPs are given adequate resources to handle the emotional challenges they may experience during the transition.	6	20	29	20	2	77	2.90
4	My hospital provides resources to address the emotional challenges PNPs may experience during their transition.	19	23	16	13	6	77	2.53
5	PNPs in the transition program rely on their peers to address their emotional needs.	3	8	18	40	8	77	3.55
6	PNPs with less than 18 months of experience are still overwhelmed by their new responsibilities.	1	9	19	28	20	77	3.74
7	We have a program to help PNPs deal with the emotional component of the transition.	28	27	12	6	4	77	2.10

Question	Min Value	Max Value	Mean	Variance	Standard Deviation	Total Responses
The transition can be emotionally stressful.	3	5	4.49	0.36	0.60	78
The transition can feel overwhelming.	3	5	4.47	0.38	0.62	78
PNPs are given adequate resources to handle the emotional challenges they may experience during the transition.	1	5	2.90	0.94	0.97	77
My hospital provides resources to address the emotional challenges PNPs may experience during their transition.	1	5	2.53	1.57	1.25	77
PNPs in the transition program rely on their peers to address their emotional needs.	1	5	3.55	0.91	0.95	77
PNPs with less than 18 months of experience are still overwhelmed by their new responsibilities.	1	5	3.74	1.04	1.02	77
We have a program to help PNPs deal with the emotional component of the transition.	1	5	2.10	1.30	1.14	77

7. Teamwork during their transition process (please rate the following):
#	Question	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Responses	Mean
1	PNPs are part of a team with physicians and other providers.	0	2	5	35	33	75	4.32
2	Each team member is given training on communication strategies.	12	27	12	17	7	75	2.73
3	PNPs are given the opportunity to present an appropriate plan of care to the team.	3	4	10	42	16	75	3.85
4	PNPs participate in patient rounds with the team	5	5	12	27	26	75	3.85
5	We teach team members the role, duties, and responsibilities of a PNP	7	8	16	27	16	74	3.50

Question	Min Value	Max Value	Mean	Variance	Standard Deviation	Total Responses
PNPs are part of a team with physicians and other providers.	2	5	4.32	0.52	0.72	75
Each team member is given training on communication strategies.	1	5	2.73	1.55	1.24	75
PNPs are given the opportunity to present an appropriate plan of care to the team.	1	5	3.85	0.91	0.96	75
	1	5	3.85	1.37	1.17	75
We teach team members the role, duties, and responsibilities of a PNP	1	5	3.50	1.49	1.22	74

8. Our transition to practice program includes the following components (check all that apply):
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Preceptors assigned to PNPs.		48	69%
2	We have Physician preceptors.		29	41%
3	There is a process for PNPs to anonymously ask questions during the program.		8	11%
4	Core PNP educational and procedural training.		25	36%
5	Specialty PNP educational and procedural training.		30	43%
6	PNPs have didactic training.		17	24%
7	PNPs are trained using simulations and/or scenarios.		13	19%
8	PNPs have time allocated to studying and learning on their own.		32	46%
9	PNPs are provided with resources to assist them in the transition to practice process.		32	46%
10	PNPs are required to complete a professional behavioral program.		3	4%
11	PNPs are required to engage in professional development activities.		30	43%

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	11
Total Responses	70

9. Are you planning to add a transition to practice program at your hospital?
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Yes		6	23%
2	No		20	77%
	Total		26

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	2
Mean	1.77
Variance	0.18
Standard Deviation	0.43
Total Responses	26

10. Are you planning to add a transition to practice program at your hospital?
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Yes		19	56%
2	No		15	44%
	Total		34

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	2
Mean	1.44
Variance	0.25
Standard Deviation	0.50
Total Responses	26

11. My role in the hospital is a:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Director of Advanced Practice		4	5%
2	Lead PNP		20	25%
3	Professor/Dean of Nursing School		0	0%
4	Pediatric Nurse Manger/Director		8	10%
5	VP of Nursing		1	1%
6	Chief Nursing Officer		0	0%
7	Other		46	58%
	Total		79

Other

PNP

Manager, Advanced Practice Service

PNP

pnp

CPNP staff

MD director

PNP Pediatric Surgery

PNP

Director of Nursing

CPNP

PNP

PNP HIV consult

PNP

clinical nurse practitioner

Pnp

PNP

Staff NP

Heart Center APP manager

PNP

most senior PNP in my dept, member of Nursing Shared Leadership Council

Staff PNP

priofessional prcatice mentor

CEO, Primary provider

Nurse manager

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	7
Mean	5.10
Variance	5.58
Standard Deviation	2.36
Total Responses	79

12. I work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, in the/a:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	PICU		5	6%
2	Cardiac ICU		4	5%
3	ENT		1	1%
4	Hem Onc/BMT/Hemophilia		9	11%
5	Surgery-any type		6	7%
6	Cardiac-any unit other than ICU		2	2%
7	Other inpatient unit		8	10%
8	Other outpatient clinic		18	22%
9	OPrimary care office		20	24%
10	I am not a PNP		10	12%
	Total		83

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	2
Mean	1.44
Variance	0.25
Standard Deviation	0.50
Total Responses	26

13. In my role:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	I am involved in the development of role clarity for nurse practitioners, staff, and physicians.		38	72%
2	I ensure PNPs have office space.		24	45%
3	I participate in the design of the transition to practice program at my hospital.		21	40%
4	I resolve nursing practice issues.		27	51%

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	4
Total Responses	53

14. Our transition to practice program includes the following outcomes (Check all that apply):
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	My hospital has seen a measurable decrease in transition times for PNPs that is directly attributable to the transition to practice program.		5	12%
2	My hospital has seen a measurable increase in the retention of PNPs that is directly attributable to the transition program.		8	20%
3	My hospital has seen a measurable increase in patient outcomes that are directly attributable to the PNPs transition to practice program.		9	22%
4	The hospital is actively improving its transition to practice program.		28	68%

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	4
Total Responses	41

15. At my hospital:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	There is an advanced practice structure.		46	74%
2	There is shared governance.		28	45%
3	There is an APN Council.		39	63%

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	3
Total Responses	62

16. I have been in my current role:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	0-2 years		18	22%
2	2-6 years		23	28%
3	Longer than 6 years		41	50%
	Total		82

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	3
Mean	2.28
Variance	0.65
Standard Deviation	0.81
Total Responses	82

17. How long is your transition to practice program?
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	0-2 months		18	34%
2	2-4 months		15	31%
3	4-6 months		5	10%
4	6-12 months		11	22%
	Total		49

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	4
Mean	2.18
Variance	1.36
Standard Deviation	1.17
Total Responses	49

18. Please indicate how many PNPs you have in your hospital:
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	1-49		36	44%
2	50-99		10	12%
3	100-149		10	12%
4	150-199		6	7%
5	Greater than 200		11	13%
6	Other		9	11%
	Total		82

Other

I don't know

None

clinic 2

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	6
Mean	2.67
Variance	3.41
Standard Deviation	1.85
Total Responses	82

20. Did you participate in the design of the transition to practice program?
#	Answer	Bar	Response	%
1	Yes		20	41%
2	No		29	59%
	Total		49

Statistic	Value
Min Value	1
Max Value	2
Mean	1.59
Variance	0.25
Standard Deviation	0.50
Total Responses	49