Eskenazi Health has a dedicated clinical education team that works with new hires the first week on board. The orientation period is typically 12-weeks and during this timeframe new members will be paired with a preceptor. Continued support is provided by managers, clinical educators, and seasoned staff. One aspect that sets Eskenazi Health apart is there is a clinical educator and manager on every shift, even on weekends!
At Eskenazi Health, new acute care nurses are welcomed to the organization through the Linda Hojnacki, RN, Nurse Residency Program. The nurse residency program follows Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory, providing a multi-modal learning format and resources specifically targeting the needs of the novice nurse to foster growth and development. The six-month program hosts four cohorts clustered by hire date. The average size of each cohort is 24 people and provides:
• Orientation to the Eskenazi Health culture and introduction to key members of the Senior Leadership Team and Nursing Leadership
• Guided leadership, support and facilitation from a dedicated nurse residency coordinator
• Monthly educational sessions that address clinical care, communication, patient outcomes, professionalism and resiliency/wellness
• Didactic lectures, simulation lab and interactive activities provided by experts at Eskenazi Health
• Support for the development of decision making, assessment, communication and patient advocacy skills