Overview
Nurses are responsible for lifelong learning to maintain and increase their competence in nursing practice. BMC is dedicated to providing high quality education to support this goal. We offer:

• Frequent in service education and competency modules by unit specific clinical instructors.
• A rich assortment of continuing education programs provides opportunity for professional growth and development.
• Nursing research is emphasized, from using clinical studies to support best practices, to nurse-supported clinical study.
  

Continuing Education
Generic and specialty programs are offered throughout the year. Nurses have the opportunity to attend classroom programs on site, within the Boston community (consortia) and from home via a web-based education system.

HealthStream Computer Assisted Education: The Mandatory Inquirer is now available for staff online on the HealthStream web site

Educational Team
A well rounded team supports the nurse in all hospital areas. Clinical instructors are visible and provide consult and scheduled educational sessions. In addition, unique to this team are a clinical educator in Information Systems, and also a specialist in Educational Media.

Unit Based Education
Each clinical area in the hospital has assigned clinical instructors who facilitate staff nurse learning about immediate clinical issues and also learning in anticipation of new patient care groups, equipment, or other expected events.

• Competency based orientation is offered to each new nurse, with an assigned clinical preceptor and follow-up by the clinical instructor as needed.
• Competency modules may be used to meet the nurses' need for a more flexible learning approach.
• Innovative educational strategies are used, and this year, twice monthly competency days are offered to allow the nurses time to validate practice skills in a structured setting. The day also offers generic and unit specific competencies, including educational support in use of the BMC computer systems.

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Programs
We are very proud of our nursing entry programs, such as:

• Transitions into Nursing, a year-long program for acute care-based new graduate nurses.
  
  
• Nursing Fellowship programs to support new nurses in the Operating Room or Emergency Department.

In order to support the nurse who volunteers to be a preceptor, a variety of preceptor workshops are offered. Nurses wishing to further develop skills in Life Support can take BLS, ACLS or PALS instructor courses. BMC participates in numerous consortia programs in the Boston community, such as:

• Boston Critical Care Consortium
• Emergency/Trauma Medicine Boston Consortium
• Boston Collaborative Learning Group for Preceptors/Coaches
• Chemotherapy Consortium of Boston

which offer programs on site and at other Boston teaching hospitals. Nursing Grand Rounds are presented at least quarterly, and provide an opportunity for nurses throughout the organization to present topics of interest. Nursing Grand Rounds also showcases the outstanding contributions many BMC nurses have made.

Nursing Information Hotline.
BMC has a new Human Resources Nursing Information Hotline.  The hotline provides information about the following programs:

Career Development

• Scholarships are available as well to assist the nurse in pursuing higher education or taking classes related to nursing, to further achievement of professional goals.
• Tuition Reimbursement is available for courses taken outside the institution, or for the pursuit of advanced degrees in the health care arena.
• Specialty Certification: Staff is encouraged to become certified in their specialty, such as oncology certified nurses (OCN).
• Continuing Education programs: Many varied and current programs are offered frequently for all staff.

There are several educational opportunities for continued growth and career advancement as a nurse. Nursing educators, preceptors and staff nurses collaborate in programs that assist new graduate RNs transition into their first professional position. Through comprehensive teaching, we equip nurses who are continuing their career, yet in another discipline, the necessary resources and experience to ensure their competence in that new area.

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