My 15-year-old is learning to drive a car. She is starting with her learner’s permit and needs 50 hours of driving practice with a licensed adult before she can earn her license. This system parallels the way our new graduate nurses transition from student to orientee. My daughter may have learned how the car works and the rules of the road, but when first driving on real streets with other vehicles, having an experienced driver next to her is safer for everyone.

In From Novice to Expert,1  Patricia Benner outlines the evolution of a nurse, that is, advancing through stages while gaining expertise and confidence. When new graduates complete orientation, they demonstrate competence in appropriate skills and practices. After that, they can develop proficiency and eventually expertise. The clinical practice hour requirement for CCRN and PCCN certification ensures that candidates have attained sufficient real-world experience that cannot...

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