Orientation: Recommended Training Programme

The DCCM Recommended Training Programme spans from a minimum of eight up to fifteen weeks for new graduate nurses. During this period of time the aim is for the new nurse to become familiar with the DCCM environment and the specialities for which we provide nursing care. Two preceptors are allocated to go through the programme with the new nurse. For the first three weeks a new nurse works in a clinical workload sharing capacity with one of their two preceptors. On the first shift the new nurse reports at 7 am to the DCCM reception which is situated on the eighth floor (ward 82) of the main building.  The first day consists of showing the new nurse around the hospital, familiarising them with the department, introducing colleagues, looking through their competency book and asking questions.

To assist their clinical development in DCCM, new nursing staff receive two books, a competency workbook and a resource book. All nursing staff are encouraged and supported to self assess and to make judgements about their needs and achievements.

From week four to ten new nurses are allocated their own patients usually with a preceptor working in the adjoining  bed space or in the runner role. During this period the new nurse will work with their preceptor one shift per week. In the final week of the Recommended Training Programme an informal appraisal with the Nurse Manager and the Nurse Educator is scheduled. This is an opportunity to evaluate the programme and to set clinical goals for the following six months in DCCM.

This is a hospital run 1-2 day course, which is generally completed within the first few weeks of staff starting in the hospital.  It provides general information about the hospital; its policies and structure as well as cultural awareness.