NEW GRADUATE ORIENTATION PROGRAM IN A GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENT SETTING

Abstract

With the geriatric population increasing, so will their needs for mental health care. However, attracting nurses to work with mentally ill older adults can be challenging. This article describes and illustrates methods successfully used by one hospital to attract, orient, and mentor new graduate nurses to work in geropsychiatric nursing—the New Graduate Residency Program (NGRP). The importance of supportive collaborative roles within nursing leadership staff is emphasized. Although the NGRP is a viable option for meeting the needs of older patients, additional strategies are needed to increase the numbers of geropsychiatric nurses overall, and these are discussed.