Specialty Orientation

Changes in health care technology offer new opportunities for nurses to learn and achieve more. At Providence Hospitals, we believe learning never ends, and we are committed to your personal and professional development. That is why we provide evidenced based training to prepare nurses orienting to specialty areas. At Providence, we know that investing in our people is the best investment we can make.

Nursing Skills

In each specialty area, a structured pathway (“track”) guides the new nurse for successful onboarding at Providence. AACN progressive care and critical care competencies define fundamental nursing skills at Providence. Skills include:

Dysrhythmia monitoring techniques
Basic and advanced life support
Basic dysrhythmia interpretation and treatment
Drug dose calculation
Continuous medication infusion administration
Patient monitoring for standard procedures
Hemodynamic monitoring
Recognition of signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary emergencies
Interventions for stabilization
Interpretation of ABGs and communication of findings
Airway management and oxygenation systems
Assessment and management of ventilated patients
Assessment and management of enteral and parental nutrition
Assessment and management of renal therapeutic interventions
Recognition of and evaluation of the family’s need for enhanced involvement

Additional skills are defined based on the specialty area. The training is structured with class every Monday followed by precepted clinical shifts on the unit of hire three to four days a week for 12 weeks. Each unit has a dedicated clinical preceptor. The training includes on-line curriculum, classroom instruction, case discussion, clinical simulation and debriefing.

Learning Modules

Essentials of Critical Care Orientation is a national evidenced based on-line program by AACN designed to provide nurses the theoretical knowledge to work in specialty areas. The program consists of several modules listed below. Supplemental experiential training is associated with each module to provide clinical application and learning in a safe environment in the hospital’s state-of-the-art clinical simulations lab. The lab has six patient rooms with high functioning patient simulators. Modules include:

Introduction to Care of the Critically Ill is an introduction to AACN, evidence based practice and Synergy Model.
Cardiovascular Assessment reviews anatomy and physiology, risk factor assessment and diagnostic procedures.
Basic Hemodynamic Monitoring reviews basic dysrhythmia interpretation and hemodynamics with pharmacological management.
Cardiovascular Diseases reviews common disorders such as Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure, Pulmonary Edema, Valve Disease and Cardiomyopathy. The focus is on clinical presentation, testing and therapeutic goals.
Cardiovascular Interventions reviews common invasive procedures such as Coronary arteriography, pacemakers and cardiac surgeries. The focus is on indications for procedure, management and complications.
Pulmonary System reviews anatomy and physiology, ventilation and oxygen delivery, common pulmonary disorders, and thoracic surgery.
Neuro System reviews anatomy and physiology, common neurological disorders, and intracranial pressure monitoring.
Renal System reviews anatomy and physiology, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, and acute and chronic renal failure.
Hematology System reviews anatomy and physiology, and common hematological disorders.
Endocrine System reviews anatomy and physiology, and common endocrine disorders.
GI System reviews anatomy and physiology, common disorders and nutritional support.
Multisystem reviews the stages and types of shock, sepsis, SIRS and MODS. This section also includes specialty populations such as the geriatric and pediatric populations.