Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan CHA, Lam CW, Li KF, Liu YP, Tsang WY, YIP WM
Affiliation: :
Department of Medicine & Geriatrics (M&G), Tai Po Hospital (TPH)
Keyword 1: :
Clinical safety
Keyword 4: :
Quality service
Keyword 5: :
Fresh graduate nurses
Introduction: :
Clinical safety and quality service are core priorities in Hospital Authority. Fall incidents and medication errors involving fresh graduate nurses (FGNs) occurred in Department of Medicine & Geriatrics (M&G) at Tai Po Hospital (TPH) in 2023. 27.8% of nursing manpower in our department are FGNs (just graduated and those under 2-year working experience) from 2023 to 2025. There is an uncertain standard of practice as FGNs were trained from various institutions. FGNs voiced out their stress and challenges in case management.
A Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program was launched to enhance safe clinical practice. A tailored “S.T.A.Y. for Success” program was developed for FGNs to align with nursing practice, enhance patient safety, eliminate their stress, strengthen their confidence and competence in case management by Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
Objectives: :
1.To align with standard of nursing practice for patient safety among FGNs.
2.To strengthen confidence and competence of FGNs through structured CQI program.
Methodology: :
35 FGNs participated in CQI program through PDCA cycle from late 3Q 2023 to 4Q 2025. The program combined a specialized M&G guidebook with one-to-one mentorship to support safe nursing practice. Pre- and post-questionnaires supported data analysis. In “Plan” phase, pre-questionnaires identified FGNs unfamiliar nursing practices. Post-questionnaires assessed self-perceived confidence and competence, mentors’ feedback on performance after 4-week introduction of program.
In “Do”phase, 35 FGNs attended a 1-day guidebook-based orientation and received 4-week mentorship from designated senior nurses. In “Check” phase, both FGNs and mentors completed post-questionnaires to evaluate confidence and competence improvement.
In “Act” phase, the guidebook was refined with nurses’ feedback, updated protocols, attached QR codes, and a designed mentor checklist for 4-week competency assessment.
Result & Outcome: :
All 35 FGNs (13 male, 22 females) reported increased confidence in case management(60.6% feeling comfortable performing all clinical duties). No fall incident nor medication errors occurred among FGNs. Patient safety was enhanced.
100% of them agreed the effectiveness of program to enhance safe practice. Based on comments from FGNs and mentors, the guidebook was useful. A refined guidebook was done in December 2025 for ongoing use as recommended.
Meanwhile, 90.9% and 97% of FGNs preferred to continue working in M&G and NTEC respectively. “S.T.A.Y. for success” program enhances sense of belonging among FGNs.
