Critical Connection Program

The Critical Care Connection is an orientation program designed to prepare the recent RN graduate with skills and competencies needed to function within the Critical Care setting.

Confidence and critical thinking skills are developed through a combination of intense clinical and didactic preparation. Throughout the 20 weeks of orientation, new nurses are exposed to and challenged by bedside nursing practice in a multitude of disciplines. A solid foundation is first developed within the medical/surgical areas before transitioning to telemetry and emergency services. Experiences are gained through observation in the Operating Room, Cardiac Cath Lab, Special Procedures and Radiology Departments. Each area of exposure builds on the previous experience leading to the final orientation within the Intensive and Coronary Care Units.

Upon successful completion of the Critical Care Connection, participants are valuable and confident members of the MCH team. Medical Center Hospital accepted 12 RN’s into the program in 2006, 11 of which successfully completed the program: eight will be placed in the ICU, two in the CCU, and one in the Emergency Department.