Creating Orientation Competencies: From Academic to Community

Abstract

<p>Realignment of multiple hospitals within a larger system resulted in two community hospitals with a shared clinical practice/education team.&nbsp; Re-development of nursing orientation was undertaken through examination of existing tools, processes, and documentation throughout the system in addition to deeper dives into existing practices at both sites. Improved nursing orientation processes and documentation was needed at both community sites. Existing orientation competencies were highly variable (from task checklists to detailed "textbook" like documents for review). Review of the electronic competency documents from the academic hospital within the system showed the existing medical-surgical competencies to be more detailed than needed for community based acute care nurses. Redevelopment of the academic level competencies into a smaller package of content was undertaken resulting in a new set of community based competencies which met a lower acuity level educational need. These competencies were then shared back with the academic center to be used with selected community based areas at that organization as well. Further development of intensive care and obstetric competencies was completed within the same model providing a layering of specialty competencies beyond the basic medical-surgical set. Implementation of the new orientation competencies on the learning management system to allow for a "paperless" process was completed through education for preceptors, nurse leaders, and new hires as they came on board. Evaluation of the process and compliance with documentation of orientation is ongoing.</p>