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Nursing Staff
Development Philosophy
The Staff Development Philosophy
evolves from and is reflective of the philosophy
of Huntington Hospital and its’ Department
of Nursing.
The Staff Development Philosophy recognizes
that the patient is the ultimate focus of any
healthcare organization and that, as such, nursing
program offerings in large part should be patient
centered. Promoting patient safety is
an integral component of these offerings.
In addition, patient and employee satisfaction
plays a critical role in a patient/family- centered
model of care. Our offerings are reflective
of this belief.
The mission of the Staff Development Department
is to continuously improve the quality of nursing
care by encouraging individual staff members
to evaluate their competence, assess their learning
needs, take action to improve their knowledge
base, and thereby improve their practice. In
addition, promoting the advancement of formal
academic education and professional certification
is vital to our strategic plan. Professional
development activities are planned based on the
framework for Nursing Professional Development
set forth by the American Nurses Association.
The individual nurse, as an adult learner, has
the primary responsibility for development and
maintenance of his/her own knowledge base and
competence.
The primary role of Staff Development
is to support the learning needs of nurses by
providing opportunities for the acquisition of
new knowledge, skills and behaviors in view of
advancing technologies, changing healthcare delivery
systems, expanding nursing roles, and nursing
research. These opportunities include
orientation, continuing education, formal and
informal inservices, coaching, and consulting.
It is essential that Staff Development offerings
be kept relevant to the organizational expectations
and needs of consumers, as well as to the learning
needs and satisfaction of employees.
NURSING STAFF DEVELOPMENT
DEFINITION AND PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Nursing Staff Development by
definition is the process of assessment, development,
and evaluation that enhances the performance
or professional development of health care providers. According
to the National Nursing Staff Development Organization
(NNSDO), Nursing Professional Development is
the lifelong process of active participation
by nurses in learning activities that assist
in developing and maintaining their continuing
competence, enhance their professional practice,
and support achievement of their career goals. The
Staff Development Department at Huntington Hospital
serves to foster all aspects of professional
development.
Staff Development includes a variety of learning
experiences, both formal and informal. Staff
Development programs are formed by assessing
the learning needs of nursing staff, as well
as by review of risk management findings, and
are planned and implemented by the Staff Development
educators. Evaluation of Staff Development
programs is based on collaboration among nursing
supervisors, educators and learners. Consideration
is given to use of the most cost effective methods
in attainment of objectives.
The components of Staff Development include,
but are not limited to:
- Continuing Education Programs:
These programs are designed to
build upon previously acquired knowledge and
skills of the learner. They promote the
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes
for the enhancement of nursing practice. Huntington
Hospital is an approved New York State Nurses
Association (NYSNA) provider of Continuing
Education for nurses.
- Orientation:
Orientation is designed to aid
the new employee in assimilation to a new environment,
duties and responsibilities. The program
is individualized according to the learning needs
of the new employee, as well as specified hospital
assignments. Selected aspects of the
orientation program are competency based.
- In-Services Education Programs:
Instructional or training programs
provided in the work setting are designed to
increase competence in specific areas of practice.
- Incidental Learning:
Opportunities will be offered in the work environment
which may relate to such things as specific deficiencies,
new products, etc., and which may not be preplanned,
but are significant in achieving the overall goal
of the Staff Development program.
- Support:
Coaching and counseling all levels of nursing
staff is emphasized during the orientation
period and beyond. This includes the
pursuit of further academic education and facilitates
the process of succession planning.
Continuing
Education Programs are planned on the basis
of an academic year, September through June,
and unless specified are open to all RN’s
and LPN’s on the hospital staff. Selected
programs are also open to the community.
Attendance
at Staff Development Programs is strongly encouraged
since, in addition to providing information
likely to be beneficial to the nurse, it serves
as evidence of interest in her profession,
which is considered in making evaluations of
personal growth.
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