Registered Nurse Onboarding Checklist

Registered Nurse Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Registered Nurse 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, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Registered Nurse onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Registered Nurse 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. Credentialing and Licensing: The nurse completes the necessary paperwork and provides documentation to obtain or renew their nursing license, certifications, and credentials. This task is usually handled by the nurse themselves, with support from the human resources department.

3. Employee Benefits Enrollment: The nurse meets with the human resources department to enroll in the company’s employee benefits program, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. The HR department guides the nurse through the enrollment process and provides necessary information.

4. Electronic Medical Record Training: The nurse receives training on the organization’s electronic medical record system, learning how to document patient care, access medical records, and navigate the system efficiently. This training is typically conducted by the organization’s IT department or a designated trainer.

5. Clinical Orientation: The nurse participates in a clinical orientation program, where they shadow experienced nurses and learn about the specific policies, procedures, and workflows of the healthcare facility. This task is performed by the nurse’s assigned preceptor or a designated nurse educator.

6. Safety and Infection Control Training: The nurse undergoes training on safety protocols, infection control measures, and emergency response procedures to ensure a safe working environment for both patients and staff. This training is typically conducted by the organization’s safety or infection control department.

7. Equipment and Technology Training: The nurse receives training on the proper use of medical equipment, devices, and technology systems used in their specific unit or department. This training may be provided by the organization’s biomedical engineering team, equipment vendors, or IT department.

8. Policies and Procedures Review: The nurse reviews and familiarizes themselves with the organization’s policies and procedures, including those related to patient care, medication administration, documentation, and professional conduct. This task is typically self-guided, with support from the nurse’s preceptor or nurse manager.

9. Collaboration and Communication Training: The nurse participates in training sessions that focus on effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, therapists, and support staff. This training may be conducted by the organization’s education department or a designated trainer.

10. Performance Evaluation and Goal Setting: The nurse meets with their supervisor or nurse manager to discuss performance expectations, set goals, and establish a plan for ongoing professional development. This task is performed by the nurse’s supervisor or nurse manager, often during regular performance evaluation meetings.

11. Continuing Education Opportunities: The nurse is informed about the organization’s continuing education programs, conferences, workshops, and other opportunities for professional growth. This information is typically provided by the organization’s education department or nurse educators.

12. Introduction to Support Services: The nurse is introduced to various support services within the organization, such as social work, case management, pharmacy, and laboratory services. This introduction may be facilitated by the nurse’s preceptor or nurse manager.

13. Compliance Training: The nurse undergoes training on legal and regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. This training is typically provided by the organization’s compliance department or a designated trainer.

14. Patient Population Education: The nurse receives education on the specific patient population they will be serving, including common diagnoses, treatments, and specialized care needs. This education may be provided by the nurse’s preceptor, nurse manager, or nurse educators.

15. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Team: The nurse is introduced to the interdisciplinary team members they will be working with, such as physicians, therapists, social workers, and case managers. This introduction may be facilitated by the nurse’s preceptor or nurse manager.

16. Time Management and Prioritization Training: The nurse participates in training sessions that focus on effective time management, prioritization of tasks, and organization skills to ensure efficient and quality patient care. This training may be conducted by the organization’s education department or a designated trainer.

17. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The nurse learns about the organization’s quality improvement initiatives and their role in promoting patient safety, improving outcomes, and enhancing the overall quality of care. This education may be provided by the organization’s quality improvement department or nurse educators.

18. Introduction to Ethical and Legal Issues: The nurse receives education on ethical and legal issues commonly encountered in healthcare, such as informed consent, patient confidentiality, and end-of-life care. This education may be provided by the organization’s ethics committee or nurse educators.

19. Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Practice: The nurse is introduced to the importance of research and evidence-based practice in nursing, learning how to critically appraise research articles and apply evidence to their clinical practice. This education may be provided by the organization’s research department or nurse educators.

20. Introduction to Professional Organizations: The nurse is informed about professional nursing organizations and associations that provide resources, networking opportunities, and support for ongoing professional development. This information may be provided by the organization’s education department or nurse educators

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Registered Nurse checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Registered Nurse 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.