Nursing Department: 

Staff Development and Orientation

We want our nurses to be challenged and soar to excellence by keeping pace with Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. An organized orientation program, with competency-based education, and on-the-job-instruction enhances employee performance, and includes:

• Pre-service Orientation before hire
• Four week classroom/on-unit orientation after hire
• Two week Preceptor Program
• One week cross training covering all wards.

You are not counted for nursing staff coverage during orientation.

The Pre-Service Orientation is a brief tour of the hospital and assigned unit along with introduction to the Nursing Staff Development personnel who will be facilitating the orientation process. It includes an overview of the four week classroom/on-unit orientation and the two week Preceptor Program.

The four week classroom/on-unit orientation involves department, unit, specific topics and clinical observation. An introduction and overview of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing includes using the "Psychotherapeutic Management" as a model of nursing care to give the employee a basic understanding of psychopathology, therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, psychopharmacology, and milieu management.

Adult education principles are used for meeting the objectives of the orientation program through interactive computer assisted instruction programs (CAIs), videos, role play, lectures, using power point presentations, and hands-on scenarios/role play related to medical/psychiatric-mental health nursing skills.

The two week Preceptor Program provides many innovative learning experiences on the unit with a consistent preceptor. The goal is for the preceptor to use his/her education, clinical experiences, and expertise to help the employee have a rich and rewarding clinical experience while learning on-the-job-instruction knowledge and skills.

Finally, one week of cross training helps the employee become familiar with the different types of nursing units and diverse psychiatric populations that we provide care for at SWVMHI.

At SWVMHI continuing education is important, as our employees are the source and strength of our organization. Education programs help with achieving organizational goals, such as improved patient care, reduced operating costs, and more efficient, satisfied employees.

Continuing education programs and nursing education may include:

• Nursing Skills Lab (IV Therapy, CPR, AED)
• Educational programs on your assigned shift
• Professional library and a Nursing Resource Learning Center
• Audio-Visual
• Computer Assisted Instructionals (CAIs)
• Job related off-site educational programs
• Preceptor Training Seminar
• Assistance with obtaining certification through the ANA
• Affiliations with schools of nursing for students’ clinical rotations

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is a specialty and we are dedicated to helping you wherever you are in your journey from novice to expert.

Are you ready for the challenge that Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at SWVMHI offers?????