Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Nursing is committed to the continuing education and development of staff. The Center for Nursing Excellence ensures that principles of adult education, evidence-informed practice, research, and professional development are integrated into continuing education programs and that these programs meet current standards and requirements.
At BWH, there are a variety of ways for nurses to engage in continuing education programs that meet the criteria for continuing education credits. Professional development for nurses at all levels of practice includes workshops, coaching in the clinical setting, e-learning strategies and team simulation. There are multiple opportunities to attend lectures and programs developed for and by BWH nurses, as well as those sponsored by professional and specialty organizations. In addition, senior nurse scientists work collaboratively with staff and leadership to support nursing research and scholarship.
The Nursing Orientation Program provides a forum to introduce newly hired nurses to the clinical resources and systems, policies and documentation that supports nursing practice at BWH.
The Newly Licensed Nurse Orientation Program (NLN) is a 6-12 week precepted clinical experience integrating simulation and reflective learning at the bedside. New-to-practice nurses are provided weekly coaching, performance review and opportunities for peer support and role socialization throughout their first year of practice.
Newly hired nurses have the opportunity to participate in classroom and simulated clinical scenarios that integrate bedside technologies and common clinical emergencies during a central orientation. These nurses then spend several weeks with a clinical preceptor on their unit.
