What is the Defining Moment of Experiential Education for a Novice Nurse?

The learning curve based upon clinical experience that affects growth in the new nurse’s ability to make independent critical decision, is thought to include the development of epistemological inclination (2007). Epistemological development as, “…part of intellectual development and is concerned with the individual’s belief about knowledge-who has it and where is comes from”, thereby, causing the individual to move toward more complex and complete intellectual understanding (2007). Up until this shining moment, new nurses often lack the confidence, not believing that they possess the knowledge and ability to act autonomously, and be accountable for what they know to make appropriate and professional critical judgment. In a study using newly graduated nursing students, it was concluded that after six months, new working graduates reported an increased level of confidence, and were beginning to feel at ease with their own perception of a patient’s status, rather than needing to have their actions reinforced by the opinion of a more experienced colleague (2007). Personal confidence will, as well, translate the level of clinical competency the nurse has developed and is communicated by an assurance of skill performance, as well as a positive attitude towards each task.