"Project Connect"
LifeBridge Health offers individualized new nurse orientations and internships in many specialties, and also offers an innovative program to new grads in specific areas. Currently Project Connect is offered in the Intermediate Care Area at Sinai Hospital, and in the Emergency Department, Critical Care, Perioperative Services, and Acute Care areas at Northwest. Project Connect will expand to other units as the program grows.
The hallmark of this innovative program is support. The program is designed to provide individual and group support to new nurses as they participate in classes, present cases, learn clinical skills on the unit, and gain confidence in their abilities as valuable professionals. Support is provided in the form of several newly-created positions which add to a strong and dedicated orientation team of educators and leaders. Clinical Coaches work with new grads and their preceptors on a daily basis to navigate the clinical landscape. A Life Coach makes assessments and provides support for work-life balance, stress, and other important challenges that accompany the excitement of a new role. The Orientation Coordinator works closely with the Education Resource Center, Nursing Leadership, and the Advance Practice Nurses to ensure a smooth, safe transition from student to professional nurse.
The program is offered twice a year to coincide with graduations and NCLEX completion, typically in August and February. The length of the program varies with specialty-area, class requirements, and participants’ knowledge, skills, and comfort level as they progress through orientation.
Eligible participants include recent nursing graduates and those who will have passed the nursing boards by the programs start date.
For more information, contact Deb Mello, RN, Nurse Recruitment and
Retention Consultant at: 410.601.5050 or
dmello@lifebridgehealth.org.