title: Redesigning Orientation in an Intensive Care Unit Using 2 Theoretical Models.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth Kozub is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Sharp Memorial Hospital, 7901 Frost St, San Diego, CA 92123 (eikozub@gmail.com or elizabeth.kozub@sharp.com). Maribel Hibanada-Laserna is Advanced Clinician, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California. Gwen Harget is Advanced Clinician, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California. Laurie Ecoff is Director of Research, Education, and Professional Practice, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kozub
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hibanada-Laserna
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harget
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ecoff
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000191:economics*