Continuing Education

Staff Development

 Preceptor Training

This eight-hour training program is designed to help the staff nurse make the transition to preceptor. A preceptor serves as a role model and a resource person to new staff nurses. Learning to be a preceptor requires that the experienced nurse acquires and integrates new knowledge, attitudes and skills. This training employs a variety of adult teaching strategies and active learning experiences to assist in the development of an effective preceptor.

 Professionalism in the Workplace

The past few years have brought a more "relaxed" ethic into the work place. For example, the suits and skirts of earlier times have taken a back seat to the cotton Dockers® and sweaters of today while the white, pressed, nurses' uniforms have been replaced with colorful and cheerful scrubs. While most of us do not miss the starched professional look of yesterday, let's make sure our professional behavior doesn't take a back seat to today's more informal attitudes.

This one-hour in-service defines "professionalism" and identifies the characteristics of a professional attitude. The Code of Conduct that all professionals abide by is reviewed, as well as appropriate methods for correcting nonprofessional behaviors, in ourselves, and those we supervise. Appropriate workplace behavior versus inappropriate behavior is examined.

 It's Not My Problem: Employee Accountability

This one-hour in-service will define employee accountability and responsibility. Identifying situations where accountability is not what it seems is explored. Aggressive/defensive communication vs. assertive communication is discussed. Participants not only learn to implement assertive communication but also learn to recognize and effectively deal with individuals using aggressive/defensive communication. Finally, the importance of professionalism on the job is stressed, in accordance with facility policies and procedures and employee job descriptions.

 Legal Issues: Delegation

Nurses delegate all the time but do they know the implications of delegating without verification of competency? This in-service will explore this issue.

 Legal Issues: Documentation

Is your documentation complete enough to protect you, your client, and your employer in the event of a lawsuit? This program will review various legal implications of documentation and help prepare all nurses for legal issues in the health care setting.