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New graduate registered nurses (RNs) face major challenges as they begin their practice at the bedside, and their experience of reality shock has been acknowledged for decades. Evidence suggests that the problems associated with the transition to practice are more serious today as new graduates face rapid deployment, increased patient acuity, and chaotic practice environments (Laschinger, Finegan, & Wilk, 2009 ; Perkins, 2010 ). They must assume professional responsibilities that potentially are beyond their capabilities (Burns & Poster, 2008 ; del Bueno, 2005 ; Dyess & Sherman, 2009 ; Kramer, 1974 ; Li & Kenward, 2006 ; Spector & Li, 2007 ). The burden of expectations for care beyond the abilities of beginning nurses and the negative workplace environment have been related to burnout, absenteeism, and high turnover rates of new nurses (Beecroft, Dorey, & Wenten, 2008 ; Laschinger et al., 2009 ).
Basic RN education contains limited clinical experiences and is insufficient to prepare new graduates to perform bedside decision making and care for complex patients. New graduates experience the general stress of new responsibilities and lack of confidence in their competence, difficulty finding their place in the nursing unit hierarchy and culture, and problems interacting with other staff nurses (Oermann & Garvin, 2002 ). Within the nursing unit organizational structure, some new graduates encounter horizontal violence and incivility. New nurses often are not prepared to deal with these situations, and these problems compound the ability of new RNs to adapt to their new practice role (Cortina, Magley, Williams, & Langhout 2001 ; Laschinger et al., 2009 ; Longo & Sherman, 2007 ). In a qualitative study with new-to-practice RNs, Myers et al. (2010 ) found that the nurses' major concerns were safety and the technical aspects of nursing, critical thinking, ways to provide holistic care, and the ability to cope with considerable stress. A predominant theme was the need for supportive and effective preceptors.
Responding to the Need
In response to this identified need, Baptist Health South Florida, a six-hospital not-for-profit health care delivery organization, adopted the Versant RN Residency(TM) program, an organized, formalized evidence-based transition plan for new RN graduates entering bedside practice. The Versant RN Residency(TM) program is a comprehensive 18-week education and training system...