Learning & Performance The Learning & Performance Team at Connecticut Children’s is committed to providing new and current team members with the information, resources, and professional development necessary to practice with excellence. The team also supports child health in the community by offering premier pediatric education to professional health care providers. The Learning & Performance Team includes staff with training and expertise in professional development, nursing education, and pediatric clinical specialties. Working collaboratively with leaders from Nursing, Medicine, Quality and Human Resources, the team assesses learning needs, then plans, develops, implements, and evaluates customized programs to support professional practice. Educational initiatives are customer-focused, supporting staff as they provide family-centered care for patients at Connecticut Children’s. Learning & Performance offers programs with tailored orientation and training opportunities for registered nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel. Onboarding/Orientation Nurses undergo a comprehensive orientation period to introduce them to Connecticut Children’s and to provide them with the information and support they need to succeed. This orientation period begins with participant centered classes for all new clinical hires, and includes computer-based learning courses, cutting-edge simulation experiences and highly specialized unit-based orientation. The Nurse Residency Program at Connecticut Children’s is a comprehensive, 12-month program for all newly licensed nurses. The program supports their transition from the academic setting to the clinical practice setting and offers opportunities for them to develop. The program supports skill-building around communication, time management, delegation, critical-thinking, and evidence-based practice. Competency Management All clinical team members participate in a yearly competency assessment and verification process that is based on the Donna Wright Model. Clinical staff participate in the selection of competencies specific to their practice setting, and then determine appropriate validation methods. The process is dynamic and role-specific, offering the maximum amount of clinical staff control. Education The Learning & Performance Team plans, implements, evaluates and maintains an ongoing program of professional development and education. Connecticut Children’s is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Northeast Multi-State Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. A wide variety of educational programs are available for team members. Some of the regular programs we offer include: S.T.A.B.L.E.® Program Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)™ Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification CPI® Preceptor Class and Pep Rallies Nursing Grand Rounds Behavioral Health Training Other pediatric specific clinical classes Connecticut Children’s is pleased to affiliate with select colleges and universities. Through these affiliations, team members of Connecticut Children’s receive discounts and/or special tuition rates. Team members may also be eligible for tuition assistance for job-related programs. Role Development To best support Nurse Preceptors and Orientees, Connecticut Children’s has a comprehensive and evidence-based Nursing Preceptor Program that standardizes preceptor education and provides ongoing professional development. Connecticut Children’s Nursing Grand Rounds offer high-quality, evidence-based education in a lecture/discussion format on topics of concern to nurses and offers contact hours. Building Brighter Futures is a conference presented periodically by Connecticut Children’s for pediatric and neonatal care providers throughout New England and New York. Collaborative Partnerships Connecticut Children’s affiliates with more than 70 schools to provide clinical experiences, capstone practicums and graduate level experiences. Additionally, Connecticut Children’s accepts applications for nursing students entering into their senior year as student nurse interns (SNI). Nursing Student Placements Student Nurse Interns Allied Professional Student and Research Student Placements Job Shadow/Observation Opportunities Students who complete an educational placement at Connecticut Children’s must be from a school that has a valid affiliation agreement in place. The placement must be part of a degree program. To find out if your school has a current affiliation, please email Connecticut Children’s Student Placements team. Research/Evidence-Based Practice/QI The Institute for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice has sponsored various nursing research grand rounds, infused evidence base practice into daily practice, encouraged an environment of inquiry and created opportunities for nurses to participate in research and performance improvement projects. Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship Program promotes use of research findings and other evidence to guide nursing practice to improve patient quality and safety. For more information about Connecticut Children’s educational offerings, call 860.545.8690.
