Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung WH (1), Wong MK (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Newly graduated nurses face many challenges when transitioning to workforce
Preceptorship program offers them a series of training in general medical setting, but specific specialty knowledge requires preceptees to equip in their own ward
Although mentors are allocated to work with each new staff, mentors do not have much time to share knowledge in workplace as they are not extra manpower
New graduated nurses have responsibilities for self-learning but sometimes they do not aware what they do not know
The gap: (1) Stroke management knowledge is very important in acute stroke unit (ASU) but preceptorship program only has limited input in this area; (2) Mentors have inadequate time to share stroke management knowledge in working place
To bridge the gap, a platform outside the hospital (whatsapp discussion group) allows more time for newly graduated nurses to think, discuss and learn stroke management. Through discussion and scenario-based case study, it stimulates them in critical thinking and decision making.
Objectives :
(1)To enhance newly graduated nurses’ knowledge in stroke management;
(2)To empower newly graduated nurses in stroke management;
(3)To promote competency and satisfaction of newly graduated nurses in being a team leader in ASU
Methodology :
A single-arm pretest-posttest design was adopted
Needs assessment was performed to determine the content of discussion
The discussion content included day-to-day nursing care of stroke patients, common investigations and treatment
Open discussion with one scenario-based case study was held via a whatsapp group every week
Web-based reading materials and journals were shared to facilitate participants to find the answer by themselves
Self-administered questionnaire was used.
Result & Outcome :
5 newly graduated nurses from ASU in UCH were recruited
The whastapp discussion group was held for 10 weeks from September 2019
All participants showed improvement in stroke management knowledge and self-evaluation of confidence. The Correction rate increased from 38% to 74%. The mean confidence score increased from 4.4 to 6.3.
Participants commented that brainstorming with colleagues was inspiring. It helped them to think more & triggered them to search information and the rationale behind the stroke pathway.
Conclusion:
Knowledge deficit of stroke management among newly graduated nurses revealed in pre–test result. This study showed that whatsapp discussion group helped learners to consolidate knowledge and boost confidence to take care of stroke patients.
