NICU Educational Plan - UC Irvine Health

1 SE5f, nicu Annual Education nicu . Educational plan Our goal is to make measurable improvement in the quality of Health care we provide 1. SE5f, nicu Annual Education Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of California, Irvine Healthcare Table of Contents I. Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing II. Organization of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Education Philosophy Statement IV. Educational Model V. Needs Assessment VI. Educational Tracks Competency Development Advancement X. Educational Opportunities XIII. Educational plan 2. SE5f, nicu Annual Education I. Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Level III nicu : 45 Bed Unit UC Irvine Medical Center provides the only combined tertiary level perinatal and neonatal program in Orange Country to manage high-risk pregnancy or the at-risk fetus.

2 Our neonatal intensive care unit provides care for infants born at UC Irvine medical Center or neighboring communities requiring a higher level of II. Organization of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Director of Women's and Children's: Gail Devaney, MSN, RN-NE-BC. Nurse Manager: Ruth Pusztai, BSN, RNC-NIC-BC. Nurse Supervisors: Alice Koh, BSN, RNC-NIC; Bonnie Ford, BSN, RNC-NIC. Clinical Nurse Specialist: Robin Koeppel, MS, RNC-NIC, CPNP, CNS. Clinical Nurse Educators: Nicole Jasso, MSN, RNC-NIC; Susan Gallitto, BSN, RNC-NIC. III. nicu Education Philosophy Statement To promote clinical excellence, professional development and a healthy work environment which fosters nurses' who are prepared and empowered to positively impact and improve the quality of healthcare they provide in the field of nursing.

3 3. SE5f, nicu Annual Education IV. Educational Model The Novice to Expert Model, Dr. Patricia Benner UC Irvine Medical Center understands that being a learner in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( nicu ) as a inexperienced nurse is difficult. In the nicu it is expected that a nurse will pass through 5 levels of development during his or her nursing career. Each step builds on the previous while the learner gains clinical expertise. The goal is to move the nurse through each level of development until clinical expertise is obtained. Instead of seeing patient care as bits of unrelated information and a series of tasks, the expert is able to integrate various aspects of patient care into a meaningful whole (Dracup and Bryan, 2004).

4 Novice Advanced beginner Competent Proficient Expert V. Annual Needs Assessment The Department of Nursing Quality, Research and Education conducts an annual needs assessment to determine gaps in clinical education. The results of the needs assessment are reviewed and analyzed by the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinical Nurse educator of the nicu . The annual education plan is developed based on the findings. 4. SE5f, nicu Annual Education VI. Educational Tracks New Graduate Level I/II Experience (Hybrid). Clinical Shifts: 36 (Step 1)Clinical Shifts: 9-feeder growers Didactic Program Hours: 72 Didactic Hours: 72.

5 Evaluations: 3 ( Step 2)Clinical Shifts: 27. Evaluations: 3. Level III Experience Per Diem Clinical Shifts: 12-24 Clinical Shifts: 3. Didactic Program: NONE Didactic Program: NONE. Evaluations: 2 Evaluations: 1. Every RN hired into the nicu will be placed on a two year Educational plan after completion of their ori- entation. The goal is to have a competent RN who is prepared to sit for the certification exam at two years of hire. 5. SE5f, nicu Annual Education VII. Annual Competency Competency is the application of knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are needed to fulfill organiza- tional, departmental, and work setting requirements under the varied circumstances of the real world and the performance of professional nursing care according to established standards of care.

6 The focus is on verification of competency of knowledge, skills & behaviors that you already have and creating Educational opportunities for areas that have been determined high priority due to new initiatives, changes in policy and procedure, or high risk job functions. Three domains for competency assessment: Clinical/Technical Domain Critical Thinking Domain Interpersonal Domain Six core competencies will be established each year: Example: Competency: Method of Verification: Date Completed Clinical/Technical Domain Promotion of Comfort at End of Life: Demonstrates the Required: ability to promote comfort at the end of life.

7 Identifies the components of end of life care. Demonstrates the ability to Attendance at the Bereavement station on Simulation day utilize pain scales. Has the ability to provide non- pharmacological pain management. In addition, choose one of the following: Completes April Journal Club: Neonatal Ethics _____. Presentation of mini-neonatal ethics in-service on unit Medication Management: Code Medications: Demonstrates Required: the ability to administer code medications safely. Attendance at the Code Meds station on Simulation Day In addition, choose one of the following: Completes May Journal Club: Medication errors in the neonatal intensive care unit: special patients, unique issues _____.

8 Presentation of mini-medication safety in-service on unit 6. SE5f, nicu Annual Education VIII. Professional Development Professional Development within the neonatal intensive care unit is encouraged. Participation in professional development activities may include: Advancement in the Clinical Ladder: Clinical Nurse III, Clinical Nurse IV. Nurses can choose to advance on the nursing clinical ladder if they meet criteria. Clinical advance- ment is a voluntary progressive program that is supported by the Department of Nursing Quality, Research and Education. Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Clinical Nurse Educators serve as mentors throughout the program.

9 Specialty Certification Specialty certification validates the mastery of skills, knowledge and abilities. Certification demon- strates your commitment to continuing education and creating an environment of professionalism. Presenting research or clinical content at Local/National Nursing Conference Presenting at a local or national conference is an opportunity for the bedside nurse to fulfill her professional obligation to her profession. A Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Clinical Nurse Educa- tors will mentor each nurse throughout the process. NRP Instructor Becoming a NRP instructor in the nicu is a way for nurses to advance their professional develop- ment.

10 Instructors are able to teach an NRP course and test other nurses on their hand-on skills. Clinical Preceptor A clinical preceptor in the nicu is usually identified by the manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist and or Educator. A clinical preceptor is not only clinical competence, but needs to have other qualities as well to be a success preceptor. A preceptor update class is offered annually to all preceptors in the nicu . Participation in Professional Organizations All neonatal nurses are encouraged to become members in their specialty organizations. The spe- cialty organization for neonatal nursing is the National Association of Neonatal Nursing (NANN).