Presbyterian is dedicated to offering our nursing staff the most current
information and continuing educational opportunities. Continuing Education
is offered throughout the year through traditional classrooms and seminar
settings as well as new electronic modules and online programs.
Training opportunities include:
Simulation Learning
Simulation services came to
Presbyterian Healthcare Services in September of 2007 due to a generous gift
from the Presbyterian Foundation. Because of this group’s vision and
forethought regarding the provision for our patients' best possible care,
Clinical Education was able to purchase 7 medium and 2 high fidelity manikins.
Since that time, we have purchased 2 more medium fidelity manikins which are
housed in a “Virtual Hospital” room on 4th floor of Presbyterian Hospital and
the Pathways Pavilion at our North Side building.
This instructional design
offers the learner the opportunity to experience the entire spectrum of patient
care including interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation
and evaluation. The manikins "talk," demonstrate physiologic
functions such as heartbeats, palpable pulses, breathing with variable lung
sounds and bowel sounds. Procedures/interventions can be performed with
realistic responses to these interventions, which will allow patient
evaluation.
Since the inception of our
simulation program, simulation has been embedded in multiple learning arenas,
which literature has shown to improve patient care and outcomes. Developing teamwork, learning to be an
effective team member and effective communication skills along with acquisition
of technical skills are practiced and improved through scenario-based learning.
A wide range of simulations
are being utilized throughout our delivery system to improve patient safety and
outcomes. Examples are:
- Nurse techs learn invasive line insertion
- Mock patient emergencies are practiced
- Recent graduates of nursing schools learn to develop professional
roles responsibilities, and effective teamwork in various patient settings
- Nursing students are exposed to increased numbers of clinical
situations
- Preceptors are instructed in assisting the development of critical thinking skills
- Education Resource nurses utilize the manikins to assist staff on
focusing their cares for specific patient populations
- Adult and pediatric life support skills are learned and reinforced
The learning environment is
structured so that groups of 4-6 people participate in this interactive
experience. This allows active group participation with learners providing
suggestions, assistance and feedback throughout the patient scenarios. An
integral part of any simulation is the debriefing or review after the
completion of the scenario. Learning opportunities are reinforced, improving
the likelihood of transition of knowledge and implementation of critical
thinking to actual patient care episodes. Ultimately, patient safety is
improved as staff responds appropriately to changes in patient status.
Web-based Learning
Presbyterian nurses have the
opportunity to utilize several different web based learning tools to help them
learn new skills, maintain competency and earn continuing education credits.
These interactive applications allow nurses to focus on specific learning
needs as well as complete mandatory training online. Many of these tests
can be accessed from home for staff convenience. Current online learning
tools include both general and critical care learning as well as all employee
required training competencies.
All Presbyterian nurses receive a free membership to PEARL's
Review, an online continuing education resource that offers over 150
subjects and continuing education credits.
Learning Management System
Presbyterian utilizes an electronic Learning Management System (LMS) for tracking staff time dedicated to continuing education as well
as to register for classes, seminars and self-paced training activities.
The LMS tool is also used to
track results of annual evaluations and in determining ongoing learning needs.
The LMS tool is an excellent way for staff to track all of the educational
events that they attend annually as well as any class or self-paced learning
module they may have completed throughout the year.
Nursing Conferences
In keeping with our commitment to nursing career development, Presbyterian hosts several Annual Nursing Conferences throughout the year. These conferences bring in both National and local speakers who are expert in their field.
Presbyterian Nursing Conferences are usually two-day events that offer breakfast and lunch as well as a continuing education credits for a nominal fee to
participants. These conferences are well attended and usually filled to capacity from
local and regional participants.
Presbyterian Sponsored Conferences
- Current Concepts in Critical Care Nursing
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Medical/Surgical Symposium
- Wiggins Obstetrical Conference
- Wilson Lectureship in Cardiac Care