(42) Pediatric Hematology Oncology Bootcamp: A Dynamic Approach to Nursing Orientation

Title: Pediatric Hematology Oncology Bootcamp: A Dynamic Approach to Nursing Orientation

Abstract : Nurses newly hired to pediatric hematology oncology settings require a focused orientation to meet the specialized needs of the patients for whom they provide care. The Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit at Penn State Hershey Medical Center formerly lacked a clear vision for how to provide newly hired nurses this foundational knowledge and training during their orientation period. The purpose of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Bootcamp was to address knowledge gaps, facilitate critical thinking, and promote competency among newly hired nurses to the inpatient pediatric hematology oncology setting.
Pediatric Hematology Oncology Bootcamp is a 4-day intensive program in which didactic and simulation-based learning activities engage orientees in the achievement of course objectives. Each day of the program consists of two parts: didactic presentation followed immediately by application in a simulation learning environment. The course utilizes selected modules from APHON’s Foundations of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nursing Curriculum, presented to newly hired nurses by in-house experts. During the second half of each day, the learners engage in simulation case studies that directly relate to the content presented in the morning. The simulations are facilitated by the unit-based educator and clinical practice nurse leader. At the conclusion of each simulation, the group engage in a debriefing to tie the concepts to practice on the unit. At the conclusion of each day, the learners complete a reflection card on their takeaway thoughts and lingering questions. At the conclusion of the course, learners complete an overall program evaluation.
Program evaluations competed by both graduate nurses and experienced registered nurses new to pediatric hematology oncology nursing have revealed this model to be highly effective in achieving the learning objective of the course. An additional and unintended outcome of this model was enhanced teamwork and camaraderie among orientees who attend the course together.