Nursing Careers

We’re proud to have earned Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program®. Considered the gold standard in nursing excellence, Magnet designation recognizes quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Health systems that are Magnet recognized have a higher percentage of satisfied nurses, lower nurse turnover, higher patient satisfaction, and improved clinical outcomes. At the heart of Magnet designation is a commitment to empower clinical nurse autonomy through professional governance.

Professional governance empowers direct-care nurses to lead as decision makers regarding nursing practice. Connecticut Children's professional governance structure includes unit-based councils and central councils focusing on nursing practice, nursing engagement, evidence-based practice and nursing research, patient and family experience, quality, and nursing informatics.

A Professional Practice Model (PPM) depicts how nurses practice, collaborate, communicate and develop professionally to provide the highest quality care for our patients, families and community.

Connecticut Children’s nurses chose a kite to illustrate the alignment and integration of the nursing practice with its mission, vision and values. A kite is designed to maneuver through gusts of wind, similar to the flexible but tenacious role of nursing which requires delivering compassionate care in today’s tumultuous health care environment.
 

Connecticut Children’s is affiliated with a long list of national colleges and universities with which we coordinate nursing student clinical placement across the health system.

Nurses undergo a comprehensive orientation period to introduce them to Connecticut Children’s and to provide them with the information and support they need to succeed. This orientation period begins with participant centered classes for all new clinical hires, and includes computer-based learning courses, cutting-edge simulation experiences and highly specialized unit-based orientation.

Programs vary in duration, intensity, material covered and next steps, depending on the department the new nurse will be joining. In general, orientation includes a full-day hospital orientation, department-specific training, and then a validation period during which new staff members demonstrate clinical competencies by providing supervised care. Upon demonstration of clinical competencies, new nurses gradually become more independent and start to take on a clinical caseload in a supportive team environment.

The Nurse Residency Program at Connecticut Children’s is a comprehensive, 12-month program for all newly licensed nurses. The program supports transition from the academic setting to the clinical practice setting. The program supports skill-building around communication, time management, delegation, critical-thinking, and evidence-based practice.

Connecticut Children’s is an Approved Provider with distinction of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Nurse Planners collaborate to develop high quality nursing professional development opportunities.