Nursing Orientation Program Builder: Tools for a Successful New Hire Program
Adrianne E. Avillion and Debbie Buchwach. 2010. Marblehead, MA: HCPro, Inc. 257 pages, binder. US$199. ISBN: 978-1-60146-708-9
*Reviewed by:
Ruth Retlewski, MSN, RN-BC
Education Specialist
Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center
Saginaw, Michigan
(e-mail: [email protected])
Adrianne Avillion and Debbie Buchwach, along with four contributing authors, designed this binder and CD-ROM as a tool to create and/or rejuvenate hospital orientation programs. The target audience includes staff development professionals, directors of staff development, nurse executives, preceptors, and clinical nurse leaders. The program also includes the option to obtain contact hours after reading the information and completing an examination and evaluation. The content is divided into five sections: Pre-Orientation, General Orientation, Departmental Orientation, Preceptors and Mentors, and Orientation for Staff Development Specialists.
The Pre-Orientation section makes a strong case for hospitals to continue to recruit and retain nurses. The authors examine current and upcoming issues related to the nursing shortage then offer best practice prehire activities. According to the authors, a detailed job description and behavioral interviewing help in finding and hiring qualified candidates. The General Orientation section highlights best practice strategies for bringing new nurses into organizations; reviews of mandatory requirements for orientation are in this section as well.
The nine chapters in the Departmental Orientation section provide the bulk of the program content. Competency-based orientation, critical thinking, developing new nurses as leaders, communication skills, ethics, orientation of foreign-educated nurses, new graduate support, and orientation evaluation are some of the topics. The figures and diagrams support the materials; however, the concept map example depicted elevated potassium as the central issue while the material discussed decreased potassium. The information on generational differences would be better situated in a chapter related to planning orientation versus its placement in the chapter on evaluation. Review and use of current research and literature, along with a number of adaptable tools on the CD-ROM, are helpful to plan and prepare departmental orientation that meets the needs of nurses and hospitals.
The fourth section focuses on the development of preceptor and mentor programs. Once again, there is sound advice and good tools to develop the programs as supports to the orientation process. A pleasant surprise is the inclusion of information related to the selection and orientation of staff development specialists in the final section of the binder.
The publication is pricey, but overall, the content is pertinent, current, and useful for designing or updating nursing orientation. Even those well versed in the orientation process will find the publication helpful in updating their program. Those with an existing solid orientation program will probably not benefit significantly. The layout is easy to reference. The literature cited is extensive and current. Initially, the three-ring binder packaging seemed an odd choice, but working with the binder was comfortable and practical. The added bonus here is the CD-ROM that has customizable tools, forms, and training materials.
Disclaimer: The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.
Teaching Cultural Competence in Nursing and Health Care (2nd ed.)
Marianne R. Jeffreys. 2010. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. 395 pages, paperback. US$75.00. ISBN: 978-082611787-8
*Reviewed by:
Sandra Spaziano, MSN, RN-BC
Clinical Nurse Educator
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Bay Pines, Florida
(e-mail: [email protected])
The purpose of this book is to prepare healthcare professionals to provide culturally competent health care to the growing multicultural population in today's society. The author designed this book to develop culturally competent healthcare professionals in academic settings, healthcare institutions, and professional associations.
The preface provides a comprehensive synopsis of the content, giving the reader a solid understanding of what is in each section of the book. The author separated the content into three sections. "Part I-Getting Started" provides an overview of the issues, concerns, and dynamics of developing cultural competence, and a model to guide the process. "Part II-Tools for Assessment and Evaluation" focuses on assessment tools and data interpretation. "Part III-Educational Activities for Easy Application" offers educational activities for academic settings, healthcare institutions, and professional associations. Each section begins with an overview of the content covered in that particular part, giving the reader a quick view of the material. A "Key Point Summary" is included at the end of each chapter. The final chapter summarizes all the discussions, diagrams, and tools. The need for further research to help develop and guide cultural competence in all healthcare settings is addressed.
The book includes a multitude of tables, diagrams, vignettes, exemplars, abstracts, and sample reports throughout the chapters. A special Web site is available at no extra charge for those who purchased this book and provides access to an excellent resource, the Cultural Competence Education Resource Toolkit. This toolkit includes three sets of tools: Resources for Academic Settings, Resources for Health Care Institutions, and Resources for Professional Associations. Use of the toolkit in an institutional or research setting requires the purchase of a nominally priced institutional license, well worth the cost.
The author has expertise as a researcher, consultant, publisher, and presenter on the subject of cultural competence. The contributors include a diverse group of experts composed of professors, attorneys, researchers, lecturers, staff nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing directors. Thirty-four pages of reliable references support and validate the content.
The book is very readable. Distinguishing the chapters into three separate sections increases the learning experience and usability of the book. A minor annoyance is the large number of references within the content of the book, although it is unavoidable. Using the book and online toolkit should enhance educational opportunities and experiences for both the learner and facilitator in every area of nursing and immensely improve the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals at all levels.
Disclaimer: The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.