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Patients can take heart - their doctors, nurses and therapists never quit studying

By Angie Hutschreider angieh@newstribune.com

Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 5:46 AM CDT

Hospitals are in the business to provide the best possible patient care they can. Nurses, whether a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner, spend years attending and graduating from nursing programs, then take state licensing exams.

But their education doesn't end there.

Those hospitals, surgery centers, medical plazas and physicians offices that employ those nurses also spend considerable time each year making sure they have the most up-to-date knowledge as well as refresher courses.

“We are ensuring our staff knows and uses the best practices, accrediting guidelines and standards of care,” said JoAnn Cantriel, education manager and clinical educator for surgical services with Capital Region Medical Center. “Some of it is a refresher and us making the old something new and exciting for them.”

St. Mary's Health Center (SMHC) and Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG) both hold annual training for all nursing staff and nonpatient care staff.

“Nursing staff at St. Mary's participates in ongoing and annual competency evaluations,” said Wanda Hoelscher, RN and director of education for SMHC. “Every employee at St. Mary's receives an average of 37.5 hours of education yearly.”

Critical care nurses serve hospitals in the intensive care unit (ICU), emergency department (ED) and cardiac care units. They receive additional yearly training in areas including ventilator care, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and temporary pacers, Hoelscher said.

CRMC's critical care employees receive training in ventilator care, sheath removal, defibrillator vest usage, pulse oxygen and cardiac care.

Non-critical care nurses at most facilities also receive training in Code Blue responses, skin triage, evacuation, warming blankets, restraints and more.

As new technology makes its way into area facilities, Shelly Sappington, quality improvement coordinator and clinic educator for JCMG, said as technology arrives so does new training.

“Training occurs within the individual departments/clinics as new equipment and procedures are introduced. Ongoing training is provided as needed,” she said.

Hoelscher said training occurs sometimes in a more emergent situation.

“Throughout the year, new education and competency evaluations are performed any time the nursing staff is faced with ... important pertinent information, such as the H1N1 influenza concerns.”


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