Implementing a Hospital-based Radiology Nursing Orientation Program for New Graduate Pediatric Nurses

Recruitment and retention in the unique and immensely growing field of radiology nursing is challenging as the nursing role evolves in response to advanced imaging and sedation procedures. At Children's National Medical Center, the radiology nursing team was confronted with recruiting enough nurses to respond to the rapid expansion of its radiology department. The department was preparing to open a new magnetic resonance imaging suite with three new magnetic resonance imaging scanners and additional anesthesiologist support for sedation, which would result in increased patient volumes and a need for more nurses. In 2010, the radiology nursing department chose to develop a program for new graduate nurses to acquire the skill set needed for radiology nursing while meeting the needs of the expanded services. In this article, we report the process and outcomes of structuring a 12-week comprehensive New Graduate Nurse Orientation Program that met the professional development needs of novice nurses and the specialty's need to produce competent radiology nurses. Through the curriculum and as documented in self- and preceptor evaluations, the orientation program's success was measured by 100% retention of the new graduates, positive self-assessments and continued involvement in the nursing profession. Implementing a quality orientation program for new graduate nurses resulted in a positive transition into their first year of practice. This program not only developed four new nurses in the field of radiology nursing, but it also engaged the experienced clinical nurse in supporting and mentoring the novice nurse.