PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The New Graduate Critical Care Program is an intensive six month continuing education program designed to give registered nurses an extended knowledge base in critical care nursing. The program includes both theory and practice in critical care incorporating clinical judgment, critical care knowledge of pathophysiologic processes and nursing interventions.

Each module of content includes the ethical basis for nursing action in critical care, as well as negotiation strategies for collaborative interdisciplinary work. New Graduates will also develop knowledge in navigating systems of care and resource utilization.

The components identified above will be interwoven into the didactic / seminar / clinical structure of the program. To enhance critical thinking skills and practice performance in crisis situations, program participants will experience simulated clinical scenarios. A precepted clinical experience in the unit of hire for he duration of the program will assist in the transition of professional critical care nurse. Approximately 500 hours of direct patient care are part of this program.  Classes are taught by clinical experts from throughout the MGH.

*New Graduates do not rotate through all of the critical care units. New Graduates are hired into one of the participating units and are salaried MGH employees.

APPLICATIONS:
This program is offered twice annually.

ELEGIBILITY:

• BSN - Baccalaureate prepared registered nurse.
• Less than six months professional nursing experience.
• Completion of a clinical practicum in critical care unit or experience in a patient assistive role in a critical care unit is strongly recommended.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Positions for the August 2008 program have been filled. Recruitment for the February 2009 program will begin in October, 2008. At that time, all applicants must apply online at www.simplythebestnursingjobs.org. Applicants should identify their preferred specialty unit from the list of postings in a cover letter.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

• Demonstrate knowledge of complex pathophysiologic processes to inform critical care nursing practice
• Identify and apply communication skills in the clinical setting to support patient focused collaborative practice with other disciplines
• Apply principles of critical care nursing based on clinical standard of practice
• Identify key elements of clinical judgment essential to critical care nursing practice
• Apply a process of reflective practice to clinical situations
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the critical illness experience and its impact on the patient and family
• Examine ethical issues arising in critical care nursing

Ellison 4 Surgical Intensive Care Unit:
The SICU is a 20-bed adult critical care area which offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of patients from various surgical services including general, thoracic, vascular, orthopedic and trauma.

Ellison 9 Cardiac Intensive Care Unit:
The CICU is a 16-bed adult critical care area which offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of cardiac medical patients, as well as other critically ill medical patients.

Blake 7 Medical Intensive Care Unit:
The MICU is an 18-bed adult critical care area which offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of complex critically ill medical patients with single system and multi-system disorders/failure

Blake 8 Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit:
The Cardiac SICU is an 18-bed adult critical care area which offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery or transplantation.

Blake 12 Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit:
The Neuro ICU is an 18-bed adult critical care area which offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of patients with neuromedical/surgical disorders including: subarachnoid hemorrhage, acute stroke, head trauma and spinal cord injury.

Bigelow 13 Burn Intensive Care Unit:
The Burn ICU is a 5-bed critical care area that offers opportunities to learn and develop a clinical practice in the care of patients with body surface area injury (Thermal, chemical, or electrical burns and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) and/or hypothermia.

White 3 Post Anesthesia Care (PACU):
The PACU is a 31-bed unit dedicated to recovering patients from general and regional anesthesia following a wide range of surgical and interventional procedures. Included within the unit is a 4 bed surgical ICU for patients with short term critical care nursing needs.