The Pulse | Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Tips for Onboarding New-to-GI Nurses and Associates
Featuring Teresita Foliacci, MSN RN CGRN
The SGNA team asked Teresita “Terry” Foliacci, MSN RN CGRN, endoscopy nurse manager of the Cleveland Clinic Florida at Weston Hospital, about her tips for managing new GI staff. After years of working alongside dedicated professionals, her responses reflect the many insightful onboarding decisions that she finds lead to greater team cohesion and staff preparedness. Take note of her top tips.
What is the best way to onboard someone new to GI?
One of the best ways is to pair them with a preceptor for three full months. This is someone your new hire can shadow and learn from on the job If possible, avoid alternating preceptors. Given the number of processes, procedures and new colleagues they will encounter in the early days of onboarding, it is best to have a consistent resource.
You can also give new hires an educational binder with resources to follow and learn from. Given they are new to the practice, it’s understandable that some need a refresher on GI anatomy and physiology.
Is there a style or format of training that works well?
Once the orientation starts, meet with the preceptor and preceptee frequently to track their progress. Over the course of 10 weeks, the new nurse should evenly circulate between the procedure and technician roles. If they are being trained in all three areas, have them spend two weeks learning the prep/recovery procedures, then the remainder of the orientation in intraprocedure.
If you are also training them in advance procedures, have the nurse learn the intraprocedure documentation and equipment. Then train in the tech role of advance procedures for at least another four weeks.
What should managers know when it comes to orienting someone new?
If your new staff members are just beginning their careers in GI, they will have a lot to learn. Don’t be afraid to use your vendor reps for equipment competency training. They have an incredible wealth of knowledge about particular products help. Additionally, we have to ensure that new hires have the appropriate amount of time to learn. If we cut back on orientation or rush them through it, the outcome is often negative.
What advice do you share with nurses who are new to GI?
GI nursing requires a lot of self-learning. It is always better to ask and include the team in the decision-making process. Take advantage of every learning opportunity that comes your way. It will take a little bit of time to get acquainted with your new work environment, so don’t be too hard on yourself at first. We are all still learning, but if you have a passion for helping GI patients, you will become good at it. Use SGNA as a resource and support mechanism.
What resources do you recommend using for orientation?
Make sure that your unit has the educational resources that you need, such as: