From Nursing Assistant to Nurse: Scoping Review of Transitional Career Opportunities

Abstract

Nursing assistants (NAs) are an integral component of the older adult nursing care team. Although NAs provide the majority of hands-on care, they often experience disproportionate personal and professional challenges related to their roles and responsibilities. Likewise, NAs may have minimal opportunity to transition into a nursing career. The purpose of the current scoping review was to identify and examine nursing career transition pathways designed for NAs. A scoping review of the literature revealed nine career transition programs designed for this unique sector of the nursing workforce. Although NAs may express a desire to transition into a nursing career, sparse programs have been implemented. Effective NA-to-nurse career transition programs may help improve NAs' personal and professional outcomes, older adults' care outcomes, and ultimately, improve diversity in the nursing workforce. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48 (2), 36–42.]