This Quality Improvement project was implemented to improve the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) internship experience for the new graduate nurses and experienced nurses. Improving competence, confidence, and assimilation to the unit was evaluated by utilizing a standardized Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool (BKAT), Likert Scale surveys and open ended question surveys to identify knowledge gaps and attitude to create a dynamic ICU internship.
Description:
A review of the literature was conducted to investigate the best practices of a Critical Care Internship. In addition, the BKAT was obtained and added to the ICU internship curriculum. The critical care educators administered the BKAT to the 1st cohort on the first day of the orientation. It was identified that new graduate nurses and experienced nurses new to the ICU struggled with basic skills, pulmonary & cardiac knowledge, and lacked confidence. The internship was restructured to address the identified educational gaps and instill confidence. Blended learning techniques, adult-learning principles, and critical thinking exercises were applied to the curriculum. The BKAT was administered at the beginning and completion of the orientation in cohort 2 and cohort 3. In addition, subjective data was collected at the midway point of the orientation and at the completion of the internship in an anonymous fashion.
Evaluation and Outcomes:
Utilizing the BKAT assists in developing and creating a dynamic internship. The results of the BKAT are used to address the learning needs of the interns and experienced nurses. Administering the BKAT, Likert scale surveys and open ended question surveys has demonstrated an improvement in competence, confidence, and assimilation to the ICU environment. Future implications are to implement to other critical care units, progressive care units, and emergency departments across the facility and 48 hospital healthcare system. In addition, information obtained will be utilized to provide individualized learning experiences for future interns and experienced nurses.