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This program is designed to ease the transition
of new graduate nurses to the acute
healthcare setting. Orientation continues
beyond the completion of the program by
the unit preceptors for as long as
necessary to assure competent performance
of the new nurses.
Eligibility
Graduate nurses who are accepted for employment at
Concord Hospital will attend the New Graduate Nurse
program as part of their orientation. There is no
need to apply for the program itself. Efforts
should be made to complete the NCLEX as
soon as possible after graduation, but it
is not a prerequisite for attending the
program. A valid temporary registered
nurse license in the state of New
Hampshire must be obtained prior to your
date of hire and be brought with you on
your first day of employment.
Program Goals
- To
introduce graduate nurses to a primary
unit and various other clinical
settings as deemed necessary.
- To
allow graduate nurses time to
gradually assume the duties and
responsibilities which accompany
her/his new role under the direction
and guidance of a Preceptor and other
members of the healthcare team.
- To
assist graduate nurses with
professional goal setting in an effort
to maximize the clinical learning
experiences.
- To
familiarize graduate nurses with
Concord Hospital and our nursing
policies and procedures.
- To
offer graduate nurses the opportunity
to experience didactic and practical
experiences that cover various topics
related to her/his role as a provider
of nursing care.
- To
promote critical thinking in graduate
nurses.
The program runs July through December and includes group
learning in a classroom setting, as well as in the Forrest
D. McKerley Simulation and Education Center.
The graduate nurses will be hired and assigned to a
primary unit, and may be assigned to the
weekend if s/he desires to maintain a
schedule consistent with that of the
primary preceptor. Shifts will be 8, 9 or
12 hours in length, depending on the
individuals units scheduling preference.
Every effort will be made to have a
primary and secondary preceptor for the
graduate nurses to assure consistency and
continuity throughout orientation process.
It is the expectation that all graduate
nurses will attend the New Graduate
Program and participate in the variety of
learning experiences that will be
provided. Time will be allowed for
discussion of clinical experiences. Support
will be available to the group as a whole, as well
as on an individual basis. Journaling
may be used as a tool to assist with goal
setting, as a review of clinical
experiences and to identify learning
opportunities. Graduate nurses will be
expected to maintain a professional
portfolio that will contain all skill
checklists, journal sheets and other
learning tools.
It is our belief that nurses come with a
variety of experiences, skills, education,
and backgrounds. New nurses are adult
learners and therefore are active
participants in their learning and
partners in the process. It is the
expectation that new nurses will be
accountable to identify learning needs and
seek out guidance to meet those needs. Our
staff is committed to providing an
individualized and flexible orientation.
If, in the judgment of the Director,
Clinical Leader, Preceptor, or Education
Coordinator, the Graduate Nurse excels in
any area, s/he may move along the
continuum of the objectives at a faster
pace.
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