New Graduate Nurse Practice Readiness Pilot Program

The education-practice gap is a well-documented issue facing the nursing workforce. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing schools in Arizona and across the nation were challenged to find clinical placement and employer preceptors for senior nursing practicum students. COVID-19 has amplified clinical preceptor placement concerns.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has recognized the current challenges nursing schools and employers are reporting. Reduced hands-on clinical experiences can lead to the New Graduate Nurse (NGN) lacking the knowledge, confidence and skills to be considered practice ready. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona employers report a growing deficit in practice readiness.

Maricopa County has invested in a pilot project to increase the practice readiness of NGNs. This will be accomplished in 2022 by creating and implementing a dynamic nursing workforce practice readiness strategy plan for senior nursing students. This plan would enhance the partnership between education and practice and create a contemporary, gold-standard, preceptor training program that is responsive to current needs.