New Nursing Graduates
New Graduates
Because of Swedish's challenging and progressive program, nurses become successful at further developing their decision-making skills, patient care performance, clinical judgment, and are able to use evidence-based practices in their everyday patient care.
Preceptors are available for the new graduates to ask questions of and be their mentors. Bonds are formed during orientations and mentors are readily available; therefore, new nurses feel comfortable to ask questions and challenge their preceptors when they are confused or concerned. New graduate nurses at Swedish Medical Center feel proud and appreciated because they are given many resources to become successful, accomplished nurses.
New Graduate Nurse Classes
These week-long course is required for all new graduate nurses, offered quarterly following nursing orientation. At completion of these classes the new nurse is able to:
- Demonstrate competency in bedside assessment skills.
- Verbalize an understanding of the policies and protocols that affect patient care.
- Apply critical thinking skill to direct patient care.
- Demonstrate competence in selected psychomotor and nursing procedures.
- Utilize effective communication techniques with patients, families, peers, and physicians that enhance patient outcomes.
- Apply time management and organizational skills for efficient patient care.
New Graduate Nurse Lecture Series
This is a four-hour lecture held quarterly presented by medical and nursing staff addressing current topics of interest. For example, in 2010, the presentations included physician nurse communication, advanced lab values, neurological assessment and post operative delirium.
Educational Meetings
These are regular meetings with unit-specific educator and new graduate nurse in the clinical area. Assessing and evaluating orientation process and needs of new graduate nurse. One of the educator's roles is to provide resources to ensure the new graduate nurse transition into the professional nursing role is successful.
Performance Based Development System (PBDS)
This is a baseline assessment of critical thinking skills. This system is designed to assess the new graduate's ability to meet job expectations and provide them with an adequate orientation based on the assessment results. An individualized action plan is developed to ensure the new graduates success and competency. The department educator meets with new graduate and preceptor to review the action plan ensuring a successful clinical orientation. The plan is also shared with the new graduate's manager/director who will review progress with the new graduate in 30 days.
Del Bueno Curriculum Course
Del Bueno is a critical thinking development class that will expand the new graduate’s ability to apply pathophysiology knowledge, gain confidence in managing unfamiliar patient problems, and increase understanding of why interventions are effective and ineffective.
Online Support Website—Wikispace
This is designed to engage new grad RN's and support their transition to professional nursing practice. Participants are urged to post questions, concerns or interactions they may have experienced during their orientation and/or their first months as a new nurse. Other new grads will be encouraged to respond making the Wikispace a safe open forum for discussion and support in our new grad community. New Grads will be encouraged to post a discussion at least once a month for the first month after the New Grad Class. They can post discussions for up to one year after date of hire. Educators will monitor postings and provide appropriate feedback to new graduate nurses as needed. Monitoring will also involve ensuring postings are professional and appropriate. Guidelines for discussions posting will be displayed on this space.
Department Specific Orientation
New graduate nurses on the Medical/Surgical units have 6 weeks of clinical orientation. During this time they may attend the New Graduate Class and Lectures. For specialty areas such as Critical Care, the new graduates attend the New Grad Classes and Lectures and the Critical Care Class during their 12-16 week orientation. The Critical Care Course has a curriculum that models the AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing program combining didactic learning and simulator case scenarios. This evidence-based education program will deliver the knowledge and skills necessary for building confidence and competence in the surgical setting.
