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There are many advantages
to working as a nurse at Saint Raphael's:
The
time advantage
Saint Raphael's has special programs and policies in place that give nurses a wide range of choices in how and when they work, including several
new reward and bonus programs. Besides a policy of no mandatory
overtime, you can choose:
- The Weekend
Alternative Program: Nurses who participate in this program agree
to work either 20 or 24 hours every weekend and receive premium
compensation for working these shifts. The program requires a
one-year commitment.
- Reserve Pool
Program: Highly skilled RNs in this program float to different
areas as needed. Earn a per diem rate plus differentials.
- Excellent part-time
and full-time opportunities.
- Variety
of shift lengths: Choose from eight- or 12-hour shifts.
The
career advantage
At Saint Raphael's, nurses are an extremely important part of our
medical community. We respect their professionalism, provide an
environment in which to grow and learn and are supportive of excellence.
Saint Raphael's accomplishes this through:
A cluster
model of staffing
Floating is a major dissatisfier for nurses. We've addressed this
at Saint Raphael's by introducing a cluster model of staffing, based
on input from our own staff members and feedback from a Nursing
Satisfaction Survey. RNs and LPNs float only within patient care
areas requiring similar competencies and skill sets. Additionally,
by working on the same units, staff have the opportunity to better
know each other and feel more comfortable collaborating on patient
care matters.
Clusters include Critical Care, Telemetry,
Surgical, Medical and Psychiatry. Still other units use a similar
product-line staffing model. These include units focusing on a Cardiothoracic
product line and a Pediatrics/Obstetrics/Gynecology product line.
Highly
skilled Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs)
CNSs specialize in a particular area and help other nurses on staff
gain expertise in that area as well. CNSs work primarily day shifts
with some shift rotation based on staff and patient needs. We have
CNSs in oncology, medical/telemetry nursing, surgical nursing, medical
intensive care, psychiatry, diabetes and geriatrics. Off-shift nursing
resource staff are also available to assist nurses in every patient
care unit.
Clinical ladders
These ladders
encourage professional growth by recognizing nurses' clinical achievements
and expertise. We have a two-rung ladder for LPNs and a three-rung
ladder for RNs. There are specific educational requirements and
clinical competencies associated with each level, and each advancement
is approved by the patient care manager (PCM). RN applicants who
are striving for Level III status must complete two major work projects
and submit a formal application to a review committee, in addition
to the PCM endorsement.
Staff
development activities
Saint Raphael's offers nurses a wide variety of professional development activities.
At our Annual Nursing Research Day - held during Nurses' Week - nurses present their
research findings.
We also offer courses in oncology and
critical care as well as a monthly calendar of continuing education
activities for nurses. Our CNSs give courses specific to their units.
And we offer many student nursing opportunities through our affiliations
with nearby nursing schools at
Quinnipiac University, Fairfield University, Gateway Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Goodwin College, Sacred Heart University, St. Vincent's College, Southern Connecticut
State University and Yale University.
Professional
recognition
Many of our nurses have been recognized professionally with prestigious
awards. These include the Nurse's Excellence in Clinical Practice
Award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; the
Excellent Preceptor Award from the American Association of Critical
Care Nurses; the Jeanne E. Doyle Award for Excellence in Vascular
Nursing, the highest honor given by the Society for Vascular Nursing;
the Mary E. Mahoney Award, given by the Southern Connecticut Chapter
for the National Black Nurses Association; and the Lane W. Adams
Award from the American Cancer Society.
The
location advantage
Saint Raphael's is located in New Haven,
a historical New England city offering a wide variety of cultural,
educational and recreational experiences.
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