Professional Growth
At Children’s, the Department of Nursing supports the career aspirations of all of our nurses and encourages nurses to periodically assess career goals. Children’s believes that professional development is an important component of providing excellent patient care outcomes.
Children’s Nursing has programs in place to encourage life-long learning and long-term professional growth.
Nursing Orientation
Each nurse receives an introduction and overview to the goals, policies, procedures, and traditions of the Department of Nursing. This allows for successful integration into the nursing culture and system of patient care delivery at Children’s.
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Educational Opportunities
The Department of Nursing offers a broad range of educational activities and events at the hospital to provide research and evidence-based information on relevant patient care and health services-related topics. The department also provides opportunities for nurses to attend educational programs at institutions of higher learning to further their professional goals.
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Shared Leadership Councils
Shared Leadership Councils within the Department of Nursing and at the unit/department level provide the opportunity for staff nurses to take part in shared decision making. Shared decision making benefits all parties—staff nurses, leadership nurses, physicians, and most importantly our patients.
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Local, Regional and National Conferences
Nurses at Children’s can apply to attend local, regional and national professional conferences to enhance personal and professional development and to share information with their peers.
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National Certification
Children’s nurses are encouraged to seek national specialty certification from accredited nursing organizations. These certifications validate that an RN is practicing excellent patient care with exceptional patient outcomes.
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Nursing Grand Rounds
These clinical development programs help registered nurses build clinical knowledge and skills. The programs are targeted toward but not limited to registered nurses who work on inpatient units.
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Professional Advancement Program (Clinical Ladder)
The professional development clinical ladder allows nurses to advance in their career without leaving the bedside, and therefore is a means by which RNs can continue to advance their clinical skills and be promoted. The program acknowledges the value of the expert nurse at the bedside and how they can positively affect patient outcomes. The program captures the essence, richness, and complexity of nursing practice at Children’s National. It provides for an additional level of prestige, respect, and job satisfaction for the bedside RN. The conceptual framework for the advancement program is based on Patricia Benner’s theory from novice to expert. During the clinical ladder process at Children’s National nurses demonstrate their integral contribution to the mission of Children’s: Care, Advocacy, Research and Education all within the context of patient/family centered care.
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Fellowships
The Neonatal Critical Care Fellowship Program, Critical Care Nursing Fellowship Program and Perioperative Nursing Fellowship Program are available to those seeking advanced clinical experiences tailored to specific interests and learning needs. The length of the fellowships varies depending on the specialty. For an application or more information contact Jill Titone Board, nurse recruiter at 202-476-5471 or jtitone@cnmc.org.
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The Simulation Learning Center
Clinical Simulation is a practical and necessary method of teaching/learning and evaluating competence. Simulation allows the adult learner to be self-paced, receive immediate feedback and develop critical thinking skills, and provides for knowledge reinforcement. Simulation facilitates learning through enactment and imitation of a condition or situation using computer driven manikins that mimic human symptoms and provides responses to caregiver actions.
Children’s National Simulation Learning Center opened May 7, 2008. The Learning Center is equipped with high-fidelity computerized human simulators and a simulated clinical environment that promotes learning, and practice of complex patient care management procedures. Use of the simulation center is now and integral component of nursing education programs offered to Children’s National registered nurses. Additionally, other disciplines use the simulation center to promote effective interdisciplinary clinical functioning.
Additional enhancements underway include videotaping for critique following scenarios, and programmable stethoscopes, and CDs for breath and heart sounds.
Simulation Technology Instructor Development
Best use of simulation technology is accomplished when educators fully understand the application of the technology as well as the methods for development of clinical ‘scenarios’. In 2008 Children’s National implemented the National League of Nursing {NLN} Simulation Innovation and Resource (SIRC) Curriculum. The SIRC Resource Center is a web based on-line e leaning site for nurse educators interested in integrating simulation into the clinical teaching environment. The learning site consist of 9 modules: (1) Designing and Developing Simulations, (2) Debriefing and Guided Reflection, (3) Guidelines for Simulation Research, (4) Teaching and Learning Strategies (5) Integrating Concepts into Simulations, (6) Evaluating Simulations, ( 7) Curriculum Integration (8) Programming a High-Fidelity Simulator, (9) Designing a Simulation Center. Members of the Education Congress and Staff development Specialists have been working to complete modules.
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