Implementation of an Enculturation Toolkit for New Nurses During Unit Onboarding

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This quality improvement project targeted an enculturation gap among new nurses by assembling and piloting an Enculturation Toolkit. BACKGROUND Enculturation of new nurses contributes to engagement, performance, sense of belonging, and retention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, orientation was shortened, virtual, and asynchronous, creating a gap in enculturation. METHODS New nurses and their preceptors were surveyed at baseline, 2 to 3 months, and 4 to 5 months to measure engagement and enculturation using the Meaning and Joy in Work Questionnaire (MJWQ) and questions about the history and values of the organization. RESULTS Initial MJWQ responses were high and sustained throughout the study period. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge of the organization's mission statement and logo. New nurses rated the toolkit activities favorably, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5. CONCLUSIONS An Enculturation Toolkit was effective in improving knowledge about the organization and sustaining engagement and belonging.