Nursing orientation at Baptist is a structured process that is individualized to assist both
experienced nurses and new graduates to successfully integrate into the work setting.
The process includes three phases: orientation, transition and integration.
Orientation
During the initial orientation phase, the focus is on general hospital introduction and
orientation, benefits, policies, Service First, and hospital and system goals. New nurses
attend classes and work with the nursing staff and staff development specialists in the clinical
setting. They are introduced to Baptist's nursing practices and start the process of basic
nursing competency completion with a focus on developing an individualized professional
development profile.
Transition
After a couple of weeks, new nurses begin the transition phase in which they begin
unit-specific, competency-based orientation. Each new nurse works in the clinical
setting under the immediate direction of his or her preceptor, an experienced nurse
who serves as that person’s primary resource for information about the unit. Nurses in this
phase also complete required education classes and socialize into the unit’s staff while
establishing their nursing practice, self awareness and esteem. Goals are short-term based,
and work emphasized on tasks, skill-building, and safe practice.
Integration
Once that phase is complete after roughly three months, the integration phase takes
divergent routes for new graduates and experienced nurses. The clinical nurse resident
works on completing remaining competencies, further developing safe practices and
beginning the work of independent practice under the guidance of a mentor in the unit. An
experienced nurse completes any remaining competencies and begins independent practice
while also assigned a mentor. The experienced nurse accepts more responsibility and moves
toward the "big picture," expanding his or her knowledge base and professional status.
Ultimately, the goals for all Baptist nurses upon the conclusion of the orientation process are to:
- Possess enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence in their nursing practice
- Practice Baptist’s mission, vision and values
- Develop clinical competency and proficiency
- Maintain safe nursing practice
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