When orientation ends ... supporting the new nurse who is struggling to succeed.

A new nurse is often left with little support from peers after the orientation period is over. To encourage and support the nurse, a program was developed that used a second preceptor ("buddy") on the shift following the new nurse. Outcomes from this program included the following: new registered nurses received more positive feedback, teamwork between shifts improved, and problems with a new graduate were reported to management sooner and led to earlier interventions.