Redesigning Orientation in an Intensive Care Unit Using 2 Theoretical Models.

Background: To accommodate a higher demand for critical care nurses, an orientation program in a surgical intensive care unit was revised and streamlined. Two theoretical models served as a foundation for the revision and resulted in clear clinical benchmarks for orientation progress evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of the project was to integrate theoretical frameworks into practice to improve the unit orientation program.

Methods: Performance improvement methods served as a framework for the revision, and outcomes were measured before and after implementation.

Results: The revised orientation program increased 1- and 2-year nurse retention and decreased turnover. Critical care knowledge increased after orientation for both the preintervention and postintervention groups.

Conclusion: Incorporating a theoretical basis for orientation has been shown to be successful in increasing the number of nurses completing orientation and improving retention, turnover rates, and knowledge gained.