To prevent a newly hired nurse from feeling overwhelmed when orientation ends, orientation should include?

Ongoing mentoring is critical in preventing a newly hired nurse from feeling overwhelmed after orientation. Mentorship provides continuous support, guidance, and professional development, which can ease the transition into their new role. A mentor can help the new nurse navigate challenges, answer questions, and offer reassurance, making the adjustment period smoother and fostering confidence in their abilities.

In contrast, while a period of job shadowing offers observational learning experiences, it is generally more beneficial during the initial orientation phase rather than as a long-term support strategy. Incentive pay may attract recruits but does not directly address the emotional and professional support needed by new nurses. Flexible scheduling can aid in work-life balance, yet it does not provide the specific guidance and support system that ongoing mentoring does, which is crucial for new staff integration and retention.