Vermont Nurse Internship Project

Susan A. Boyer, Director

289 County Rd, Windsor, VT

802-674-7069

Quarterly Report: Spring 2008

A busy time this spring: Spreading the Word

The work of VNIP continues to impact the health care community in relation to transitional issues of new staff, retention, and preceptor development. This spring, the Executive Director presented at several conferences on the current work, research and outcomes of Vermont Nurses In Partnership (VNIP). The presentations showcase the results of utilizing the evidenced-based competency tools, clinical coaching plans and preceptor instruction that have been developed over the last nine (9) years of commitment to intern and preceptor development.

As the program continues, the importance of preceptor instruction, organizational support and a collaborative environment has become more and more evident. Through the concerted efforts of VNIP, the resources continue to be shared by a variety of organizations, specialties and venues across the country. Data is being collected for the research grant with (NCSBN) National Council of State Boards of Nursing as we continue our research into the effective practices for transition to practice of new graduates, new to specialty and reentry.

Tales of living out of a Suitcase, or a look at the recent Conferences and Workshop presentations by the Executive Director, Susan Boyer, M.Ed.

Taking the Long View: Effective Retention throughout the Career Continuum. The 6th National Conference of Nursing Workforce Leaders held in Denver, Colorado, June 11 &12, 2008. The concurrent session, Start with the end in mind! Collecting evidence for clinical competence development/ assessment, described the VNIP program/outcomes, and then focused on the current research process and dialogue with session participants.

At the 1st Annual Nurse DHMC Conference on Nursing Excellence as teachers in the Practice Setting, she spoke on two topics: 1)Differentiation of Mentoring, Coaching, Precepting and Teaching in the Clinical setting and 2) Coaching for the Clinical Competence at the Bedside. This conference was held at Woodstock Inn, Woodstock, Vermont, April 21-23. We were able to strengthen the impact within Vermont as well as disseminate our outcomes. The VNIP budget helped to pay the registration fees for participants from VNIP research sites. This support was extended to 14 Vermont Clinical Educators.

Susan was the Keynote Speaker at: Conventionality Excellence Unlimited- Conference for Nurses: Nursing in the 21st Century from Yesterday to PDA’s. Keynote: Communication and Technology, Bridging the Gap. Concurrent session: Bridging the gap to the proficient professional on April 4-6, Newport, R.I.

At the NHNA Conference: Hot Topics in Nursing on March 25, 2008, in Manchester, NH, Susan addressed: Mentoring and Precepting, Transition from Novice towards Expert.

Expanding the focus “it takes a whole village”

One of the original expected outcomes of the project was a change in the culture of the work environment. The VNIP framework promotes a change from the current crisis-driven and often intimidating transition process, to a supportive environment designed to support the transition of a novice nurse into successful practice.As we evolve the emphasis on “it takes a whole village”, developing and improving the collaborative atmosphere has expanded in both the Preceptor development process and advanced workshops. This emphasis has resulted in the following work by Adjunct Faculty, Anne Walker, M.Ed.

Anne Walker, M.Ed. offered two concurrent sessions at the At the 1st Annual Nurse DHMC Conference on Nursing Excellence as teachers in the Practice Setting in April, 2008. Her sessions were titled; 1) Civility in the Workplace, and 2) Personality styles, challenging situations and dealing with difficult Preceptors. These topics are vital components of the “whole village” and collaborative initiatives of the VNIP mission, goals and framework.

Anne Walker gave an all day advanced workshop at Vermont State Hospital on Civility in the Workplace. The emphasis of this program reflects on the continuum from incivility to bullying. The program addresses communication skills dealing with the difficult conversations, developing a Code of Conduct, and Zero tolerance policy to enhance civility in the workplace. This advanced program is offered through, and can be contracted from, the VNIP office.

Basic Preceptor Workshops and Train the Trainer Intensive Sessions

Clinical Coaching workshops in Vermont: Developing competence & critical thinking.

The work of preparing preceptors in Vermont continues:

On March 27 and 28 in Waterbury a course was given to an enthusiastic group from the Vermont State Hospital and other regional agencies.

Then on June 12th & 13th , a Preceptor course was offered at Southwestern VT Medical Center, with Susan co-instructing with Gail Hanlon and Drew Totten.

Thank you Drew and Gail, it was both a teaching and learning experience!

Spring in New York City:

The NYSNA Training Contract continues with a five (5) day intensive session at Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx, NY from April 28 – May 2nd, 2008.

Susan Boyer and Anne Walker spent a week with 42 nurses from 6 Hospitals in the greater NYC areas. Both staff nurse preceptors and educator s enthusiastically, attended the 5 day Preceptor training and Train the Trainer sessions, as part of the 3 year project. This exciting project is taking VNIP concepts, research and practices throughout the state of NY. The practice settings in the Bronx is one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the United States, points out the universality and applicability of the program in all specialties, practice and geographic locations.

Aloooooooooooooooooooha

If you have never experienced the hospitality and warm welcome of Hawaii, I would suggest a trip soon. From May 19 through the 30th both Susan Boyer and Anne Walker brought Clinical Coaching Program Developmentto the islands of Hawaii. We shared the VNIP Clinical Coaching model, competency tools, preceptor development, and creating village concepts, tools and resources. Over 100 preceptors and 40 educators/managers from the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, joined us in Honolulu, Hawai’i. The program was co- sponsored by the Hawai’i State Center for Nursing and the participants were enthusiastic, exciting nurses. With our assistance, they are initiating a standardized approach to intern and preceptor development, with the intent of sharingboth process and resources statewide. Once again, Vermont is leading the nation, as Hawai’i seeks toreplicate the Vermont framework and approach to preceptor and intern development. It is exciting to keep expanding the process, adapting to a variety of settings and to continue the learning and sharing throughout the country.

Organizational Themes

The board of directors has been expanded. The new members bring a wealth of experience and energy that will help take VNIP to the next level of achievement and development as a resource for developing nursing practice.

The Board of Directors includes:

Jill Lord, RN, M.S. - VP of Patient Care Services, MT Ascutney Hospital & Health Center
Kathy Keleher, RN, M.P.H. - Acting Director, Public Health Nursing, VT Dept of Public Health
Mary Val Palumbo, RN, Ph.D. - Director, Center for Nursing Workforce Research, Planning, & Development, UVM
Margaret Gagne, RN, MSN - InterimDirector of Medical-Surgical Services, FAHC
Marilyn Rinker, RN, M.S. - Executive Director, VT State Nurse Association
Patricia Donehower, RN, MSN -Director of Adult Home Care, Chittenden/GI Visiting Nurse Assoc.
Patricia Winsted-Fry, RN Ph.D. - Researcher, Evaluation Consultant
Mary Botter, RN, Ph.D. - Executive Director, VT Board of Nursing
Patricia Wrightsman - Chair of Southern VT College Nursing Program
Anna Gerac - Director of Nursing Education Programs; Vermont Technical College
Gail HanlonRN MSN - Clinical Education Specialist &VNIP Research Site coordinator; SVMC

The 501 (c) 3 application(for federal recognition of not-for-profit status) has been completed and is under final review. We continue to grow as a non profit organization dedicated to research and development of resources that support the developing nurse, preceptor development and a collaborative environment.

The NCSN Research Project continues with transition of the survey tools to cyber space, via Survey Monkey. Our heartfelt thanks go to the various partners on our collaborative support team. Ellen Hagman, , is our research assistance and should be included in any correspondence regarding issues or challenges related to the research project. At this point, she is managing the cyber connections and often updating the web site.

Publication of the Core Curriculum for Clinical Coaching - Ellen has also been finalizing the publication process for the Workbook for Preceptor Development and Support. We have applied for the ISBN number, received work quotes from two printers, and are deciding on the number of texts that we should contract for our first edition.

Exciting work!!! Thanks to all for their support and assistance.

VNIP contact info: 802-674-7069 or 11/29/2018