Rn Onboarding Checklist

Rn Onboarding Process

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

Rn Onboarding Checklist

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

2. Introduction to the Team: The new Rn is introduced to their immediate team members, including nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals they will be working closely with. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or team leader.

3. Facility Tour: The new Rn 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 rooms. This task is typically performed by a designated staff member or a nurse manager.

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

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

6. Introduction to Equipment and Supplies: The new Rn is familiarized with the various medical equipment, devices, and supplies used in their specific unit or department. They learn how to operate and maintain them safely. This task is usually performed by a senior nurse or a designated staff member.

7. Shadowing Experienced Rns: The new Rn spends time shadowing experienced nurses to observe their workflow, patient interactions, and clinical skills. This task helps the new Rn gain practical knowledge and learn best practices. It is typically coordinated by the nurse manager or preceptor.

8. Introduction to Policies and Procedures for Emergency Situations: The new Rn is trained on emergency response protocols, including codes, evacuation procedures, and how to handle critical situations. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member from the safety or emergency management department.

9. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new Rn is introduced to the facility’s quality improvement initiatives, such as patient safety programs, infection control measures, and performance improvement projects. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member from the quality improvement department.

10. Review of Continuing Education Opportunities: The new Rn is informed about the company’s continuing education programs, including workshops, conferences, and online courses, to enhance their professional development. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member from the education department.

11. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The new Rn is introduced to the concept of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of effective communication and teamwork with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, therapists, and social workers. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member.

12. Review of Safety Protocols: The new Rn is trained on safety protocols, including infection control measures, proper body mechanics, and handling hazardous materials. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member from the safety or infection control department.

13. Introduction to Patient Population: The new Rn is provided with information about the specific patient population they will be working with, including common diagnoses, treatments, and special considerations. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member.

14. Introduction to Ethical and Legal Considerations: The new Rn is educated on ethical and legal considerations in healthcare, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and reporting obligations. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member from the legal or ethics department.

15. Introduction to Documentation and Charting: The new Rn receives training on proper documentation and charting practices, including electronic and paper-based systems, ensuring accurate and timely recording of patient information. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

16. Introduction to Hospital Policies and Procedures: The new Rn is provided with an overview of the hospital’s policies and procedures, including visitor guidelines, patient rights, and administrative protocols. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member from the administration department.

17. Introduction to Infection Control Measures: The new Rn is trained on infection control measures, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment usage, and isolation precautions. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member from the infection control department.

18. Introduction to Emergency Codes: The new Rn is educated on the different emergency codes used in the healthcare facility, such as code blue (cardiac arrest) or code red (fire), and the appropriate response for each code. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member from the safety or emergency management department.

19. Introduction to Patient Safety Initiatives: The new Rn is introduced to patient safety initiatives, such as fall prevention programs, medication safety protocols, and patient identification procedures. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member from the quality improvement or patient safety department.

20. Introduction to Professional Development Opportunities: The new Rn is informed about professional development opportunities within the company, such as mentorship programs, leadership development, and specialty certifications. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member from the education or professional development department

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

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