New Nurse Readiness: What Educators Really Need

Written By: Christine Heid PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE

Five years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped healthcare as we knew it, placing immense strain on the nurses and educators who have tirelessly cared for and trained the next generation, often at great personal cost. In the time since, we’ve seen growing recognition of their challenges: overwhelming workloads, high burnout rates, and a worsening nursing shortage. 

Despite this increased awareness, many nurses and educators still feel unheard, struggling under the weight of responsibilities that only seem to grow. The pressure to prepare the next generation of nurses continues to mount, but without meaningful support, nurse educators are being asked to do more with less. 

Tax Credits Do Not Address Core Issues

The recently proposed nurse preceptor tax credit is a step in the right direction, recognizing nurse educators' critical role in shaping the future workforce. But financial incentives alone won’t solve these deep-rooted issues. To truly support nurse educators and set students up for success, we must provide them with what they need most: expanded access to mental health resources, better staffing support, and enhanced training technology, like virtual reality (VR) simulation, which allows for more hands-on, individualized learning. 

The urgency of this issue is underscored by a troubling statistic: while 90% of nursing students pass the NCLEX, only 9% of novice nurses meet acceptable performance standards upon entering the workforce. According to a new report from UbiSim, educators attribute this gap between academic success and clinical competence to a lack of real-world training. 

Shortages Sideline Students During Clinical Rotations

Faculty shortages and overwhelming workloads cause many students to spend much of their clinical education in observational roles rather than gaining the hands-on experience necessary to build confidence and critical thinking skills. At the same time, preceptors, who are meant to guide students through the transition from academic learning to practice, often don’t have the bandwidth to provide the individualized support and mentorship students need. 

Without adequate support, many new nurses enter the field feeling unprepared and overwhelmed, leading far too many to leave within their first two years—often disheartened and burned out. 

Classrooms Alone Cannot Prepare Nurses for Bedside Realities

Another major challenge is emotional preparedness. More than half of nurse educators report that students struggle with the psychological demands of the profession, often experiencing “reality shock” when transitioning into the workforce. 

Preceptors are more than teachers; they are lifelines for students navigating the emotional and mental challenges of stepping into patient care. But without the time and resources to provide meaningful mentorship, both students and preceptors are left struggling. 

The Value of Simulations in Nursing Education

One of the most promising solutions to this readiness gap is integrating simulation-based learning. According to the Nurse Readiness Crisis report, 56% of educators believe VR and simulation-based training significantly enhance student preparedness and emphasize the need for greater investment in these technologies. 

VR simulations allow students to practice clinical decision-making, patient interactions, and emergency response scenarios in a risk-free environment. These immersive experiences not only improve competency and confidence but also help address the shortage of clinical placement opportunities by supplementing traditional training. 

Investing in the Future of Nursing Education

The proposed tax credit acknowledges the essential role of nurse educators, but it must be part of a broader strategy to strengthen nursing education. Investing in faculty support, mental health resources, and cutting-edge educational technology will better prepare students for the realities of patient care while also alleviating the pressures on educators. 

By addressing these deep-rooted challenges, we can give nurse educators and students the support they deserve—ensuring that new nurses entering the workforce are not only competent, but also confident, resilient, and ready to care for patients with the compassion and skill our communities rely on.

🤔Nurses, do you agree that virtual reality and simulations help new nurses prepare for the bedside? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!