The Graduate Nurse Coordinator is a site-based registered professional nursing leader who oversees and manages all aspects of the comprehensive program(s) for transitioning all new graduate registered nurses (RNs) from the academic into the professional work environment, from a novice or advanced beginner to a competent professional RN. In conjunction with the system Nurse Residency Program (NRP) Coordinator and other nursing leaders, s/he is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of site-based initiatives including programmatic guidance for the post-graduate nurse, preceptor, mentor and other NRP program support team members. The incumbent is responsible for the assessment of orientation and training program needs, development, and execution of program objectives, and evaluation and ongoing improvement of a competency based orientation for the Nurse resident.

Education

• Develops and refines site orientation and training needs of nurse residents to align with NRP expectations and standards
• Ensures consistency in NRP implementation, evaluation, and cohort coordination as needed
• Acts as a liaison between the NRP Coordinator and site Learning Manager communicating issues essential to the program and
  residents
• Nurtures the NRP philosophy, policy, and objectives for residents to facilitate the smooth transition to the Orlando Health model of
  professional nursing practice at the site level
• Oversees the implementation of the NRP curriculum, in collaboration with the NRP coordinator and nursing leadership
• Develops and implements innovative models of site-based instruction to support clinical learning in simulation, seminars, and at the bedside
• Assists with coordinating classes, skills labs, specialized courses, group sessions, and other activities based on adult learning principles

Mentorship

• Observes and evaluates resident practice in collaboration with preceptors, learning specialists, and nurse leaders, and recommends changes, as warranted, using an evidence-based approach to practice
• Provides leadership and feedback to preceptors and learning specialists in evaluating clinical performance against practice standards
• Guides residents and preceptors in working with the NRP curriculum to achieve optimal Baptist Health outcomes in collaboration with the NRP coordinator
• Manages confidential and critical materials, issues, and communications
• Interacts with staff in an ethical, consistent, fair, timely, appropriate, and decisive manner in accordance with hospital and nursing policies

Leadership

• Acts as the site-based leader supporting the NRP and new graduate transition articulating program needs and reporting program issues to nursing and NRP leadership as appropriate
• Communicates with nursing leaders and other stakeholders on a regular basis or as needed
• Generates data analysis reports as needed
• Participates in NRP, leadership, and clinical learning conference calls, seminars, and work groups to create a professional network, share expertise and experiences, and further develop a supportive environment for the new graduate nurse at Baptist Health
• Functions as a liaison between site-based leadership and education and the system learning and NRP to assure a smoothly
  coordinated residency program.
• Communicates with Human Resources to facilitate recruitment of residents possessing the background and skills required for successful performance
• Identifies factors that affect the resident’s ability to learn and fulfill job requirements, progression with the program, and retention and then communicates recommendations, as needed, to the preceptor, nursing leadership, and the NRP Coordinator
• Provides input with the clinical evaluation of team members
• Supports and sustains all leadership-driven initiatives
• Embraces, communicates, and promotes change
• Actively participates in strategic planning, ad hoc projects, and educational activities, as assigned, for clinical learning

Strategic Planning

• Serves as a consultant to clinical areas with new graduate nurses to ensure appropriate resources and structures are in place to
  foster a supportive and nurturing environment
• Identifies when additional resources are needed to support the new graduate nurse transition and discusses with site leadership and the NRP Coordinator
  
• Regularly reviews NRP and new graduate data and program outcomes to identify areas for improvement

Research

• Utilizes NRP data and site outcomes for continued improvement activities
  
• Establishes and maintains tracking methods to ensure competencies, orientation, and other program components are completed within identified timelines
  
• Incorporates objective assessment of program outcomes, preceptor performance, and site and unit culture to foster optimal healthy work environment standards supportive of new graduate nurses

Other Related Functions

• Holds self and others accountable to Orlando Health’s mission, vision, and values
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards
• Expresses ideas clearly and effectively in verbal and written communication to team members and groups
• Fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrates collaborative and collegial relationship skills

Appropriate Clinical Practice Knowledge

• Performance supports the Professional Practice Model values – clinical excellence and caring practice
• Superior clinical and critical thinking skills for assigned unit/department
• Interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide nursing care needed as described in the unit/department’s policies and procedures

Performance/Quality Improvement

• Monitors compliance and outcomes to identify issues and trends and leads the team on process/quality improvement initiatives
• Ensures practice changes evidence-based, promote high-quality nursing practice, and are consistent with research, organization, and national standards

Education/Training

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) required.

Licensure/Certification

• Current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Obtain National Certification in specialty area within 12 months.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience as a Registered Nurse in an acute care setting.