Individual and Institutional Outcomes of Nurse Residency Program for New Nurses: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to review the outcomes of nurse residency programs for new graduate nurses. Methods: The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles on the outcomes of nurse residency programs for new graduate nurses published in English from 2010 to 2019. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases using the search terms "nurse residency program," "new graduate nurse," and "transition to practice program." A qualitative appraisal of studies was conducted using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results: Twenty-five studies were selected. The systematic review found that nurse residency programs effectively increased the competence and confidence of new graduate nurses in 14 studies. Job satisfaction, job stress and anxiety, and support showed different results, which were increased, decreased, or statistically insignificant after the programs. In three studies, institutional outcomes, including the retention rate in 16 surveys and hospital cost savings, were improved. Patient safety had different results depending upon the study. Conclusion: This study's results can provide evidence for the necessity of a standardized nursing education program and for developing a system for evaluating its effectiveness to improve the quality of nursing education.