Acute Care Residency
"Every new nurse deserves a residency"
Findings of a three year study indicate 93% of graduates of the Acute Care Residency were found employed after two years. The success rate begins with the decision to support new graduates.
1. Employers and personnel are oriented to the program that focuses on crisis assessment and management.
2. Employers adopting the education modules and processes assign an experienced nurse to act as the new employee’s preceptor.
3. The preceptor is trained and tested then assesses the strengths of the new nurse.
4. An individualized learning plan is developed.
5. Weekly three hour periods are devoted to the employee’s growth. Educational modules, clinical practice session, competency validation via simulation, and self-study sessions are provided.
Schedules
Thursday is Professional Development Day.
- First Thursday of the Month: Participative Video Webinars
- Second Thursday of the Month: Learning Plan Achievements with Preceptor
- Third Thursday of the Month: Continuing Education of Choice
- Fourth Thursday of the Month: Competence Validation via Simulation
Webinars Offered Monthly:
- Rural Nursing and Critical Thinking
- Communication (Patient and Family)
- Cultural Competency
- Leadership
- Psychiatric Crisis Assessment and Management
- Medical Surgical Crisis Assessment and Management
- Obstetrics Crises Assessment and Management
- Pediatric Crises Assessment and Management
- Geriatric Crises Assessment and Management
- Emergency and Trauma Crises Assessment and Management
- Pharmaceuticals – Drug Allergies and Overdose
- Information Management/Program Evaluation
Residents Receive:
- Management Support in professional development
- Precepted clinical coaching
- Software to increase knowledge of patient education, policy and procedures, medications
- Online library subscription
- Competence Testing
- Certificate of Rural Nursing upon completion of all program components
- Continuing education credit
Communication and Resources: Information for completion of coursework, program updates, and class resources are kept on Moodle, which is the distance education courseware. Moodle is found on the Idaho State University web page. A user name and password are provided. Webinars are held in the “Training Center” on Webex. Camera, fast internet connection, and microphone are needed for full participation.
Clinical Expectations:
The employer and preceptor develop a learning plan of 10 clinical skills is developed during the first two weeks of the residency. Preceptors facilitate learning and test competence in the 10 skills and perform monthly competence validations. Employers encourage and monitor resident progress.
Preceptor/Resident Manual:
The resident and preceptor guide the residency with a workbook containing:
- Monthly schedule and expectations
- Class and Competency Resources
- Processes to ensure success and for communication
Simulation and Competency Validation:
Residents and Preceptors experience hands on clinical testing and validation of competence in crisis assessment and management using high fidelity simulation.