Background: Orienting newly hired nurses to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit brings forth many challenges arising from higher patient acuity and complexity in this very fragile population. A Simulation-enhanced orientation program was created back in 2007 to address these needs. Our NICU orientation simulation program provides newly hired nurses exposure to common congenital and acquired conditions. NICU orientation simulation is also used as a platform to teach high-risk, low frequency skills nurses encounter with an emphasis on developing critical thinking skills.
Format: Four, 2 hour sessions that compliment didactic curriculum
Venue: ICU- based simulation suite
Frequency: Quarterly
Participants: NICU Nurses
Expertise Level: Novice
Course Leaders: Caitlin O’Brien BSN, RN, CCRN and Denise Casey MS, RN, CPNP, CCRN
Highlights/Objectives:
- Scenarios build in complexity and conclude with debriefing
- Promote discussion and develop critical thinking skills
- Focus on safety and communication as the foundation to clinical practice
- Utilize “Pause and Discuss” teaching approach
- Review complex pathophysiology and treatment options for a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions.