In November 2011, Nursing at the Center for Innovation and Learning launched its inaugural health system nursing orientation. Utilizing a shared-service model, the UPHS Nursing Orientation Committee chaired by Dr. Kathleen Burke, PhD, RN, CENP, implemented a successful innovative program that provides a new nurse at Penn Medicine with the vital knowledge and resources to deliver world class patient care.
The mission and purpose of the Nursing Orientation Program is to introduce new nurses to the knowledge and resources needed to deliver world-class patient care across the continuum. This will be accomplished through:
- Providing a welcoming, supportive and collaborative education experience.
- Introducing the mission, vision, and goals of the Penn Medicine Nursing Department.
- Integrating the new employees into the Penn Medicine Nursing Community.
- Exposing nurses to the resources they will utilize to safely care for patients in accordance with the standards of regulatory bodies.
- Defining Penn Medicine expectations.
Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™
Infusing technology and innovation into the Nurse Residency Program is paramount for the new-to-practice nurse. The Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month program designed to transition nursing graduates into their new professional roles. The feedback and outcomes for this program demonstrate a need for learning strategies that are hands-on and interactive. For example, the Smart Hospital mimics a realistic environment and patient experience so that the nurse can practice a variety of skills such as:
- Safe patient handling techniques
- Medication safety
- Role play for communication/ delegation scenarios