Staff Nurse Onboarding Checklist

Staff Nurse Onboarding Process

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

Staff Nurse Onboarding Checklist

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

2. Facility Tour: The new staff nurse is given a tour of the healthcare facility, including the different units, departments, and support services. This task is usually performed by a nurse manager or a designated staff member.

3. Introduction to the Team: The new staff 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 staff nurse is provided with a comprehensive review of the organization’s policies and procedures, including infection control, medication administration, documentation, and emergency protocols. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

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

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

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

8. Introduction to Policies and Procedures for Patient Safety: The new staff nurse is educated on the organization’s policies and procedures related to patient safety, including fall prevention, infection control, and medication safety. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

9. Review of Emergency Response Protocols: The new staff nurse is trained on the organization’s emergency response protocols, including codes, disaster plans, and evacuation procedures. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

10. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: The new staff nurse is introduced to the concept of interdisciplinary team collaboration and the roles of other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, therapists, and social workers. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

11. Review of Documentation Requirements: The new staff nurse is educated on the organization’s documentation requirements, including charting standards, legal considerations, and confidentiality policies. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

12. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new staff nurse is introduced to the organization’s quality improvement initiatives, such as patient satisfaction surveys, performance improvement projects, and evidence-based practice guidelines. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated staff member.

13. Training on Safety and Infection Control: The new staff nurse receives training on safety and infection control practices, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment usage, and isolation precautions. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated infection control nurse.

14. Introduction to Continuing Education Opportunities: The new staff 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.

15. Review of Ethical and Legal Considerations: The new staff nurse is educated on ethical and legal considerations in nursing practice, including patient rights, informed consent, and professional boundaries. This task is typically performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

16. Introduction to Patient Population and Unit-Specific Practices: The new staff nurse is provided with information about the patient population they will be caring for and any unit-specific practices or protocols. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

17. Introduction to Resource Persons: The new staff nurse is introduced to key resource persons within the organization, such as nurse educators, clinical specialists, and nurse managers, who can provide support and guidance. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

18. Review of Employee Benefits and Policies: The new staff nurse is provided with information about employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and time-off policies. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated benefits coordinator.

19. Introduction to Professional Standards and Organizations: The new staff nurse is educated on professional nursing standards and organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and specialty nursing associations, to promote professional growth and networking. This task is usually performed by the nurse educator or a designated staff member.

20. Performance Expectations and Evaluation: The new staff nurse is informed about the organization’s performance expectations and evaluation process, including annual performance reviews and ongoing feedback. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

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