Peer learning in introduction programs for newly graduated nurses
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14737280 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14737280 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | University of Gävle |
| Funder | University of Gävle |
- Submission date
- 11/02/2015
- Registration date
- 19/02/2015
- Last edited
- 22/12/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Nurses are educated to provide care, but their first period in working life is described as stressful, and they are often exposed to unhealthy stressors and experience negative symptoms. To help them cope with the demands of working life, a learning strategy called “peer learning,” which puts learning and growth in focus, will be tested. Peer learning implies that newly qualified nurses, during their introduction period, learn together in pairs without the immediate involvement of their preceptor. In this way, nurses at the same level can support each other, learn from and teach each other. This has been shown to improve communication and problem solving skills and self-confidence as well as to reduce stress and anxiety. The study aim is to investigate whether peer learning in introduction programs can help newly graduated nurses when they enter working life.
Who can participate?
Newly graduated nurses employed at four hospitals in central Sweden.
What does the study involve?
Nurses will be randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 are assigned to the peer learning introduction program. Those in group 2 are assigned to the traditional introduction program. Peer learning means being introduced to the nursing profession with a peer. Newly graduated nurses are introduced into the work with another newly graduated nurse. They always work during the same shift for three weeks and are jointly responsible for a group of patients. They also engage in daily reflection. During the following three weeks, they are scheduled on the same shift at least three work shifts per week. The pair engage in reflection regularly every week for the next two months. The control group is introduced into the profession in the traditional manner, which involves “walking” alongside an experienced nurse for a few weeks. One experienced nurse supervises one newly graduated nurse at a time. On five occasions they complete a questionnaire where they self-rate their self-efficacy, learning and development, empowerment, well-being, stress, job satisfaction and satisfaction with given care. Before the experimental study, a pilot (small) study is done to see whether there is anything that needs to be adjusted before starting the larger study. In the pilot (small) study, the nurses complete the questionnaire (as above); they are also be interviewed and themselves audio-record reflective conversations they have together.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Peer learning may help newly graduated nurses cope with the demands of working life. If nurses are given the opportunity to develop optimism and self confidence, this can lead to meaningful experiences and a feeling of "flow" at work. This may, in turn, lead to positive organizational consequences, such as good work performance, and the nurses may experience individual and health benefits, such as well-being and job satisfaction. However, participating in the study involves answering questionnaires and interviews that may make them feel uncomfortable.
Where is the study run from?
University of Gävle, the County Council of Gävleborg, Aleris Bollnäs Hospital and TioHundra Norrtälje Hospital (Sweden).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2014 to September 2020
Who is funding the study?
University of Gävle (Sweden)
Who is the main contact?
Ylva Pålsson
ylva.palsson@hig.se
Contact information
Public
University of Gävle
Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies
Department of Health and Caring Science
Kungsbäcksvägen 47
Gävle
SE- 801 76
Sweden
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5436-3566 |
|---|
Scientific
University of Gävle
Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies
Department of Health and Caring Science
Kungsbäcksvägen 47
Gävle
SE- 801 76
Sweden
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-1185-061X |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | A randomized controlled trial (RCT). A multicenter interventional study with block-randomization to intervention and control group preceded by an exploratory pilot study. |
| Secondary study design | |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Does peer learning in introduction programs, in comparison to traditional introduction, professionally develop and better prepare newly graduated nurses for entering working life? A randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | Newly graduated nurses who are given the opportunity to "learn the profession" with a peer have higher self-ratings of perceived capability to perform nursing-specific tasks and competences (self-efficacy), learning and development (thriving), psychological empowerment, well-being, job satisfaction and satisfaction with given care higher and self-rate less stress/demands than do new graduates in a control group who are introduced to the profession in the tradition manner. |
| Ethics approval(s) | The Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala, Sweden, 20 August 2014, ref. 2014/192. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Newly graduated nurses’ introduction into the profession at four hospitals in central Sweden. |
| Intervention | Peer learning originates from social learning theories, which claim that experience, understanding and knowledge building are shaped and developed in interaction between humans. Peer learning is a pedagogical activity defined as persons at the same level helping each other to learn and learning through teaching. Peer learning thus allows newly graduated nurses to work in pairs and be introduced into the profession with a peer. Central to peer learning is reflection, support, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. In the present trial, the intervention includes: Newly graduated nurses randomized to the intervention group will be introduced into the profession through peer learning for 3-4 weeks. During these weeks, the newly graduated nurses will always work the same shift and have joint responsibility for a group of patients. Their preceptor will provide support and feedback when needed, but in contrast to traditional introduction he/she will not play an active role in nursing activities. Using a clear structure, the pair will engage in daily reflection that is scheduled. For three weeks after the introductory period, the nurses will be scheduled on the same shift at least three work shifts per week. Joint reflection will be scheduled regularly every week from the introductory period and two months forward. The intervention period is three months. The participants will, because of practical reasons, be randomized in block of ten pairs. The control group will be introduced into the profession in the traditional manner, which involves “walking” alongside an experienced nurse for a few weeks. One preceptor supervises one newly graduated nurse at a time. The trial will be piloted to test the feasibility of the intervention, as well as to test the sample recruitment strategies and data collection occasions and instruments. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Perceived capability to perform nursing specific tasks and competences (Self-efficacy) (validated questionnaires) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Structural empowerment (validated questionnaires) |
| Completion date | 01/09/2020 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Health professional |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 152 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Newly graduated nurses who, for the first time, are being introduced into the nursing profession. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not meet inclusion criteria. |
| Date of first enrolment | 12/01/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/06/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Sweden
Study participating centres
Gävle
SE-801 76
Sweden
SE-801 88
Sweden
Bollnäs
SE-821 81
Sweden
Box 905
Norrtälje
SE- 761 29
Sweden
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available as the authors do not have permission to share the data. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interim results article | Qualitative study | 04/01/2022 | 27/10/2022 | Yes | No |
| Other publications | pilot | 29/11/2017 | 22/12/2022 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Thesis results | A pathway into the profession: The use, feasibility and outcomes of a peer learning intervention for nursing students and newly graduated nurses | 16/12/2019 | 22/12/2022 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
22/12/2022: Publication reference and thesis added.
21/12/2022: Internal review.
27/10/2022: Publication reference added.
14/12/2021: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2020 to 31/12/2022.
10/10/2019: IPD sharing statement added.
25/06/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 22/06/2017 to 01/06/2018.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 20/06/2018 to 01/09/2020.
3. Publication and dissemination plan added.
