Nursing Staff Development is an integral component of the Division of Nursing Practice and Support Services. Our mission is to provide nursing staff with quality educational programming and resources through creative leadership and quality initiatives in order to advance nursing practice and optimize patient outcomes.

Nursing Staff Development provides supportive educational programming for all nursing staff across the developmental span from novice to expert. Our educational programming includes full orientation programs for new RN's, NCT's, and PCA's, as well as ongoing education and training for employees:

• Critical Care and Progressive Care Orientation Program including the nationally acclaimed self-paced learning module developed by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, ECCO: Essentials of Critical Care Orientation.
• Acute Care Workshops:Offered throughout the year, these workshops are designed to address the specific needs of the acute care nurse. Area specific content including disease process and use of patient population-specific equipment and nursing techniques.
• STAT:Surgical, Trauma Advanced Training program is a carefully structured program developed for recent RN graduates, acute care nurses, or nurses with less than 12 months ICU experience. Through this program the nurse acquires the knowledge and skills to provide care to patients in the Emergency Department.
• American Heart Association sponsored certifications including: ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, EPNC
• Kentucky Board of Nursing approved Continuing Education Courses designed to meet the learning needs of staff:
• Post Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program:A one year program for new graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs, focusing on the transition to professional practice. New BSN graduates receive support and mentoring from a group of expert nurses, professional career development assistance, leadership and role transition assistance through workshops and group interaction.
• ADN Support to Practice: A program for new staff in the acute care hospital setting that is designed to support the new ADN graduate in their first transitional year as an RN.
• Preceptor Development and Training Program:Continuing education for the experienced nurse who is serving in the role of preceptor to new staff.

The Nursing Staff Development Department is committed to providing excellence in patient care by providing educational support to those nurses at the bedside. The staff serves in the following roles:

• Staff Development Specialist:The educational expert in the development, implementation, and evaluation of central and unit specific educational programs.
• Staff Development Instructor: Serves as the educational clinical resource to nurses at the bedside. The SDI works with the nurse at the bedside to develop clinical competencies and problem solving skills.