pOST-bACCALAUREATE rEGISTERED

nURSE reSIDENCY

A fully ccne accredited, 2000 hr residency

“Clinical rotations and didactic learning activities build upon knowledge gained and competencies developed during residents’ experiences…These experiences emphasize the development of clinical and leadership skills to be successful as a full partner within the healthcare team. Curriculum and clinical experiences encourage development of effective decision-making skills, interpreting and incorporating evidence-based research into daily practice, supporting clinical leadership at point of care and promoting life-long learning and resilience in nursing practice.”

- www.va.gov/salt-lake-city

  • The skills section details the units I have rotated through and the unique abilities I have acquired and improved upon.

  • The residency program provides unique training opportunities I have compiled beow.

  • Part of the residency includes a didactic portion. Herein is a list of topics covered throughout the program.

Skills

*Not a real patient photo

ICU: Continuous monitoring (ECG, Arterial lines), CRRT setup and trouble shooting, ventilator monitoring, CPAP/BiPAP, drawing blood gases, vasoactive titration

ED: Triage, IV insertion, ECG, patient assessment, lab draws, vital measurements

Acute Medicine: Wound care, safe patient handling, medication management, pump management

Post-Surgical: Acute pain management, rehabilitation, liaising with PT/OT

PACU: Pain management, patient assessment and early recognition of status changes, post operative recovery

Same Day Surgery: Patient assessment and prep, IV insertion, surgical team communication

OR: Charting, patient and surgery verification, leading time out, surgical assistance

IPU: Behavioral emergency response, care team liaising, psychiatric evaluation at the nursing level, CIWA, COWS, AUDIT-C

GI: Moderate Sedation (Fentanyl & Versed), continuous monitoring, IV insertion

Outpatient Mental Health: Mental health assessment, telehealth/telenursing, appointment scheduling and follow-up, patient outreach

Quality & Administrative: Informatics, charting review, root cause analysis, medication error reporting, process improvement, care metrics

Trainings & Certifications

  • BLS & ALS

  • ACLS

  • VA Military Culture Course

  • Sedation and Patient Monitoring

  • National Moderate Sedation Didactic Training

  • Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) I,II,III

  • Bystander Intervention Training for Veterans

  • VA Health Informatics

  • VA Root Cause Analysis

  • Crucial Conversations

Lecture & Soft skills

Lecture topics in the residency program are many and varied. I have had the privilege of learning from subject matter experts in topics such as:

  • 10 week, 80 hour Emergency Nursing course

  • 12 week, 96 hour ICU Nursing course

  • Safe Patient Handling

  • Wound Care

  • LGBTQIA+ Care

  • Women Veteran Care

  • PICC Team

  • Innovation

  • Telemetry

  • Hospice & Palliative Care

  • Pharmacy

  • Lab/Pathology

These lectures have not only further informed me but have improved my soft skills. I have improved my interdepartmental communication skills, learned more about veteran culture and communication preferences, and have gained a deeper understanding regarding the hospital’s function as a whole.

I have received education regarding caring for specialty populations like female veterans and LGBTQIA+ veterans. This has improved my ability to create safe care environments for patients who are most at risk.

As a result of my networking and exposure to different units, departments, and experts, I am able to offer care that continues long past discharge. I am educated in access to less known or used programs like the food pantry, veterans closet, or continuity of care programs like outpatient mental health and SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR). I am excited to share my knowledge and expertise with patients to improve their quality of life after discharge.