TY - JOUR TI - Mentorship mediated clinical site orientation framework DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-9wtd-de81 PY - 2020 AB - Purpose of project: Beginning the clinical phase of nurse anesthesia education has been identified as a time of high stress and anxiety for registered resident nurse anesthetists (RRNAs). Elevated stress and anxiety levels associated with this event have been shown to inhibit the retainment of information and lead to a poor clinical performance. Methodology: This mixed-methods research study was designed to investigate if a formalized mentorship mediated clinical site orientation would decrease stress and anxiety as well as increase confidence for RRNAs entering clinical for the first time. Results: A baseline mean stress score was assessed in both third year and second year RRNAs using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and were compared using an independent t-test. The Mentorship Mediated Clinical Site Orientation (MMCSO) was conducted for second year RRNAs at Rutgers University (n = 22), and a post-interventional survey was completed by participants. Survey responses were expressed as percentages. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all open-ended questions. 95.4% of participants strongly agreed that the orientation decreased their stress and anxiety, and 100% of participants strongly agreed that the orientation increased their confidence towards the clinical year. 100% of participants strongly agreed that the MMCSO was beneficial to their education, and that they would recommend integrating it into a front-loaded nurse anesthesia program. Implications for practice: The findings of this study suggest the MMCSO should be permanently incorporated into the nurse anesthesia program at Rutgers University. In addition, the mentorship mediated clinical site orientation framework can be instituted into nurse anesthesia programs throughout the country as an effective way to immerse RRNAs into the clinical experience prior to the beginning of the first rotation. A better understanding of expectations, the operating room environment, and the workflow of the designated clinical site can increase professional collaboration and teamwork in the operating room. KW - Nurse anesthesia resident KW - Graduate nursing education KW - Clinical rotation KW - Role transition KW - Pre-clinical KW - Mentor KW - Mentorship KW - Preceptorship KW - Peer mentor KW - Anxiety KW - Stress KW - Nurse Anesthesia LA - English ER -