Transition Theory with Dr. Judy Duchscher

01/01/25 • 61 min

Navigating the transition from nursing student to practicing nurse involves overcoming significant challenges, specifically during initial employment periods marked by transition shock and crisis. Insights from Dr. Judy Duchscher emphasize the need for structured support, theoretical frameworks, and fostering mentorship relationships to effectively guide new graduates through these critical phases.
- Understanding the purpose and structure of nurse residency programs
- Differentiating between transition shock and transition crisis
- The importance of mentorship and support for new graduates
- Recognizing the emotional and psychosocial needs during different stages
- The value of peer mentorship and initiatives like Storm Chaser
- Addressing the need for theoretical frameworks in residency programs
GUEST: Dr. Judy Boychuk Duchscher's lifelong passion has been exploring the professional role transition of new graduate nurses. Her encounter with Dr. Marlene Kramer spurred her to make strides in this area. Over the past twenty-five (25) years, she has engaged in extensive research to shed light on the professional role transition of new graduate nurses, an aspect of nursing that can easily be overlooked.
Her nursing career commenced in 1979 after graduating with a diploma in nursing with an initial focus on growing her expertise in providing direct care in high-acuity care settings. Her credentials include a Post-Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing from the University of Manitoba, a Diploma in Cardiovascular Nursing from Stanford University, a Clinical Transplant Coordinator Diploma from Johns Hopkins, a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nursing, a Post-RN Baccalaureate and Master's degree in nursing from the University of Saskatchewan and a PhD from the University of Alberta among many others.
She has earned recognition within the nursing community for her numerous contributions to the advancement of the profession particularly in supporting new nurses' professional role transition. Presently, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing, the Director of Nursing The FutureTM (NTF), and the Principal Investigator on a 4-year (2023-2027) Health Canada grant to evaluate the Canadian National Nurse Residency Program. Through these roles, Dr. Duchscher continues to display her unwavering commitment to supporting and educating new nurses and bridging the gap between undergraduate nursing education and professional practice.
https://nursingthefuture.ca/

Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.

Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.

Previous Episode

Season 1 Finale - Reflections and Favorites

In this special wrap-up episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, host Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, sits down with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) team to reflect on their favorite moments from Season 1. Join Jessica Ociepka, MSN, RN-BC, Program Coordinator; Amanda Bruscher, MSN, RN, Program Coordinator; and Jill Gillespie, BA, Marketing Coordinator, as they share their insights and highlights from the past year.
As we work on our year-end planning, this episode provides a unique opportunity to hear from the team behind the scenes. Discover which episodes resonated most with them and why, and gain valuable takeaways from their experiences. Whether you’re a nurse leader, educator, or healthcare professional, this episode offers a thoughtful conclusion to our inaugural season and sets the stage for what’s to come.
GUESTS: Amanda Bruscher, MSN, RN , is a Program Coordinator for the IONRP. Her journey in healthcare began as a CNA and LPN before she earned her BSN from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, in 2018. Recently, she completed her MSN with a focus on Clinical Nurse Leader from the University of Iowa in May 2024. Amanda’s diverse nursing background includes med-surg, postpartum, cardiac care, oncology/infusion, and education in large and rural healthcare settings.
Amanda’s passion for nursing education is evident in her work with new nurses and her role in teaching CNA classes at a local community college. A fun fact about Amanda is that she participated in the IONRP program as a resident within a year of earning her RN, finding it invaluable during the early stages of her career. She is dedicated to supporting new nurses as they transition into their roles, leveraging her extensive experience in various nursing specialties.
Jessica Ociepka, MSN, RN-BC, is a Program Coordinator for the IONRP. Originally from Southern Maine, Jess earned her BSN from the University of Maine in 2006 and completed her MSN focusing on Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. She began her nursing career in a large teaching hospital on a busy cardiology unit in Southern Maine. In 2014, Jess moved to Colorado, where she worked as a clinical nurse educator in a rural hospital while continuing to provide bedside care.
Jess currently staffs med/surg and ICU units in a PRN capacity and teaches the nurse aide program and clinical for nursing students at a local community college. Her dedication to nursing education and patient care is evident in her commitment to both roles. She is passionate about welcoming new nurses to the profession. Jess brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team, making her an invaluable asset to the program.
Jill Gillespie, BA, is the Marketing Coordinator for the IONRP team. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Iowa (2000) and an AA in Graphic Design from The Art Institutes International Minnesota (2003). With 17 years of experience in graphic design and marketing, Jill began her career in the newspaper industry before she transitioned to working for her family’s manufacturing company.
Since joining IONRP, Jill has revitalized the program’s branding, introducing a fresh new look and logo. She continuously updates and enhances the website, social media platforms, and course materials, ensuring they remain current and engaging.

Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.

Next Episode

Professional Identity in Nursing with Dr. Nelda Godfrey

In this episode, we explore the concept of professional identity in nursing with Dr. Nelda Godfrey. Dr. Godfrey shares her insights on how professional identity is formed through education, residency programs, and reflective practices. She discusses the importance of intentional support for new graduate nurses, the role of language in defining professional identity, and strategies for fostering growth and leadership. The episode also covers the impact of social media on nursing perceptions and future trends in integrating professional identity into nursing education. Dr. Godfrey's extensive experience and research provide valuable perspectives on helping nurses develop a strong professional identity to thrive in their careers.
GUEST: Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF, is Professor and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Department Chair for Family, Community and Health Systems at the University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS. A thought leader in nursing innovation and nursing education, Dr. Godfrey writes often on new care delivery models that can be influenced by a stronger emphasis on the nurse within—researching and developing strategies to create the whole person experience in nursing practice going forward. Her work with the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing is transforming the way nurses, health care professionals, and society understand what it means to “think, act, and feel like a nurse.” This work offers new language and knowledge for the journey—helping nurses heal, flourish, and expertly care for others.
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Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.

Beyond Nurse Residency - Transition Theory with Dr. Judy Duchscher

Transcript

Nicole Weathers00:00:02.547

You're listening to the Beyond Nurse Residency podcast , an educational series where we interview experts on all topics related to the transition of new graduate nurses into practice and beyond . I'm your host , Nicole Weathers , Director of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program .

Nicole Weathers00:00:22.617

Thanks for joining us , let's jump in . Nurse re