Registered Nurse (Acute Care) Onboarding Checklist

Registered Nurse (Acute Care) Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Registered Nurse (Acute Care) starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Registered Nurse (Acute Care), you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Registered Nurse (Acute Care) onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Registered Nurse (Acute Care) Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new registered nurse attends a comprehensive orientation program that introduces them to the organization’s policies, procedures, and culture. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.

2. Facility Tour: The new nurse is given a tour of the healthcare facility, including the different units, departments, and key areas such as the emergency room, operating rooms, and patient care areas. This task is usually performed by a nurse manager or a designated staff member.

3. Introduction to the Team: The new nurse is introduced to their immediate team members, including other nurses, physicians, and support staff. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

4. Review of Policies and Procedures: The new nurse is provided with an overview of the organization’s policies and procedures, including infection control, medication administration, and documentation guidelines. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

5. Training on Electronic Health Records (EHR): The new nurse receives training on the organization’s electronic health record system, including how to navigate the system, document patient care, and access patient information. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

6. Introduction to Equipment and Supplies: The new nurse is familiarized with the various equipment and supplies used in their specific unit, such as IV pumps, ventilators, and monitoring devices. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member.

7. Review of Emergency Procedures: The new nurse is trained on emergency procedures, including codes, rapid response, and disaster management protocols. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

8. Shadowing Experienced Nurses: The new nurse spends time shadowing experienced nurses to observe their workflow, patient interactions, and clinical skills. This task is usually coordinated by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

9. Introduction to Unit-Specific Protocols: The new nurse is introduced to unit-specific protocols and guidelines, such as those related to wound care, pain management, and patient safety. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

10. Completion of Mandatory Training: The new nurse completes mandatory training courses, such as CPR certification, HIPAA training, and workplace safety modules. This task is usually coordinated by the human resources department or a designated training coordinator.

11. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Team: The new nurse is introduced to members of the interdisciplinary team, including social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and case managers. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

12. Review of Unit-Specific Policies: The new nurse reviews unit-specific policies, such as those related to patient admissions, discharges, and transfers. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

13. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new nurse is introduced to the organization’s quality improvement initiatives and encouraged to actively participate in data collection and process improvement activities. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated quality improvement coordinator.

14. Introduction to Patient Population: The new nurse receives an overview of the patient population they will be caring for, including common diagnoses, treatments, and special considerations. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

15. Review of Continuing Education Opportunities: The new nurse is informed about the organization’s continuing education opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and online courses, to support their professional development. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

16. Introduction to Unit-Specific Resources: The new nurse is introduced to unit-specific resources, such as clinical practice guidelines, reference books, and online databases, to enhance their knowledge and decision-making skills. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

17. Completion of Competency Assessments: The new nurse completes competency assessments to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective patient care. This task is usually coordinated by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

18. Introduction to Ethical and Legal Considerations: The new nurse receives training on ethical and legal considerations in healthcare, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and reporting obligations. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

19. Introduction to Infection Control Practices: The new nurse is trained on infection control practices, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment use, and isolation precautions. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated infection control nurse.

20. Introduction to Patient and Family-Centered Care: The new nurse learns about the organization’s commitment to patient and family-centered care and how to involve patients and their families in the care planning process. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Registered Nurse (Acute Care) checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Registered Nurse (Acute Care) up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.