Nurse Residency Program (New Grads)

Emergency Nursing Track

About the Emergency Track

The Emergency nurse residency track is a pilot program for the Winter 2013 nursing cohort for nursing graduates who seek to specialize in Emergency Nursing. The track is designed to provide a comprehensive training program for the new graduate RN to prepare them for a career in Emergency Nursing. Core and specialty curriculum training is the hallmark of preparing the Emergency Nursing resident to excel in this highly complex department that services a diverse patient population. Prior emergency department or hospital experience is beneficial but not required.

Specialty Clinical Rotations and Observational Experiences

Vanderbilt Emergency is the gateway to the hospital for thousands of patients and prehospital providers, and it is representative of center of excellence in areas such as Trauma, Stroke, Heart Failure, Chest Pain and VAD Destination Therapy. The Emergency Nurse must master a broad knowledge-base of patient conditions and illnesses. This also includes an understanding of prehospital emergency care, as well as care of the patient during and after emergency care in the emergency department. The Emergency Nurse should be able to care for all presenting conditions over a range of acuities. This includes post-emergency stabilization and treatment where the emergency nursed continues to care for the patient should they transition into another service level as an inpatient.

The Emergency Nursing track is a comprehensive 20-week program that incorporates didactic, online, and instructional emergency nursing and core training. Each resident will also participate in specialty observational experiences as well as have an experienced emergency RN preceptor on both night and day rotations. Some of the specialty rotations, observational experiences, and instructional time will encompass these areas/topcs:

• Pediatric Emergency Department
• Cardiac Cath Lab
• Trauma ICU
• Vanderbilt LifeFlight
• Nashville Fire Department
• Weekly Trauma conferences
• Decon Training (comprehensive, day-long training)
• Verbal and Physical Behavioral Management Techniques (Handle with Care classes)
• Comprehensive Online, self-paced Emergency Nurses Association orientation modules
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

What Happens After Orientation?

Within a year after completing the initial 20-week training program, specialty training classes and orientation will be provided in the areas of triage and trauma to allow the emergency nursing resident to work independently in these specialty areas. The resident will also complete the ENA Trauma Nursing core Courses (TNCC).

Support is a key element in strengthening self-assurance. Throughout the entire first year of practice, there will be periodic classroom sessions that will focus on issues pertinent to the development of your practice, skills, and professional transition. The classes cover everything from palliative care to Spanish for health care to difficult conversations.

Nurse Residency Program Eligibility and Application Deadlines

• Graduate Nurse
• Professional RN with less than 6 months professional nursing experiences at time of application.
• Provide a brief state for the interview panel as to why you would best qualify for the Emergency Nurse Residency track.