The Emergency Nursing Internship/Fellowship is an opportunity for both the new graduate and the nurse with experience to transition into the emergency department setting. Emergency nursing is the episodic care of patients across the life span with both life-threatening and non-critical illnesses or injuries.
This six-month program provides a basic foundation in the principles of emergency nursing, including rapid assessment, critical thinking and skills training. The initial 12 weeks include classroom lectures, self-study, laboratory skills training and clinical experiences with a preceptor in the assigned emergency department setting. Seminar sessions review clinical progress and support the nurse in this transition. The intern/fellow must attend all classes and skills labs, complete assignments and readings and perform successfully in the clinical area and on classroom evaluations.
A three-month period of support for the nurse follows as clinical competence develops. ACLS and the TNCC courses may occur during this period.