Nursing Orientation
Onboarding
All new employees will receive a one day general hospital orientation to assist both the experienced and inexperienced employee to provide successful integration into the work setting. During this initial phase of orientation, the focus is on general hospital introduction and orientation to benefits, policies, mandatory education, infection control, culture, strategic goals and mission, vision and values.
Clinical Staff Orientation
All clinical staff including registered nurses, unit assistants and certified nursing assistants receive an additional day of interactive training which includes orientation to:
- Safety First
- Patient Experience and Satisfaction
- Infection Control, Hand washing, Isolation
- Fall Prevention
- Skin & Pressure Injury Protection
- Workplace Violence
Nursing Staff Orientation
The registered nursing staff orientation consists of two additional days of interactive learning, competency development and simulation. Topics include:
- Diabetes Management
- Documentation and Electronic Medical Record
- Rapid Response & Code Training
- PICCs, VAD and IV Insertion
- Bedside Report & Rounding
- Medication Safety
- Pain Management
- ANA Code of Ethics
Topics are discussed through simulations and scenarios in a Simulation Center which is designed to be realistic, virtual hospital environment. Learners master clinical competencies, procedures, roles, responsibilities and effective communication. The Simulation Center offers realistic patient care setting with use of staff actors who portray standardized patients, use of high tech simulators and task trainers.
Select RNs also have the option to attend a Dedicated Learning Unit Orientation for several weeks with advanced preceptors who provide expert knowledge and development in the medical surgical patient care areas.
Unit Orientation
New nurses are then oriented to specialized unit and l work with an assigned Preceptor for several weeks. The length of this training will be dependent upon the nurse's position, experience level, and assigned unit(s). Specialty areas will require additional training. The focus of the unit orientation is unit-specific competencies and to provide the nurse with patient care opportunities that enable them to demonstrate competence. Intermittent orientation meetings are conducted with a clinical educator, manager and preceptor throughout orientation to review competencies and set goals.
Preceptor
The nursing preceptor at MercyOne Genesis plays a significant role in the competency development and job satisfaction of the new nursing employee. The Preceptor Program exists to support the new nursing employee in his or her transition into the workplace. This program also supports the hospital mission, vision, values, and commitment to quality healthcare for all patients.
Training for the Preceptor Program includes:
- Role responsibilities
- Characteristics of a good Preceptor
- Principles of adult learning and learning strategies
- Methods of competency evaluations
- Guidelines for providing feedback