The effectiveness of orientation programs on professional competence and organizational commitment of newly graduated nurses in specialized health care: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to identify the effective orientation programs and their effects on the professional competence and organizational commitment of newly graduated nurses. INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants This review will consider studies that include newly graduated nurses. Study participants include nurses (bachelor, associated degree) graduated within one year, working their first year of practice in specialized healthcare. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate orientation programs and their effects on newly graduated nurses’ professional competence and organizational commitment. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: The primary outcome is nurses’ professional competence level measured by an objective and quantitative instrument such as the Nurse Competence Scale (NCS), the Australian National Competency Standards (ANCI) and the 6-D Scale (the Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance). The secondary outcome is nurses’ organizational commitment measured by an instrument such as the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ), the Organizational Commitment Scale (OCS) and the Affective, Continuance, and the Normative Commitment Scale. In addition, organizational commitment can be measured by early resignation from the workplace or the profession (within the first year of practice). The reasons for early resignation will include all work-related reasons (e.g. unsafe patient care, perceived stress, unsatisfactory work environment, insufficient support, poor management, perceived bullying and employment factors including dissatisfaction with salary and/or few possibilities for career development), excluding reasons related to personal life (marriage, maternity leave, moving to another state/city/country). The most appropriate comparators TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS