Advancing Nursing Excellence
Benefactors Support Vail Health’s Clinical Training and Development
A range of innovative programs enhance the skills of Vail Health’s nursing staff, thanks to generous benefactor funding that promotes nursing excellence. “Nurses are the lifeblood of a healthy hospital,” says Sara Dembeck, Associate Chief Nursing Officer. By supporting these initiatives, benefactors are investing in developing Vail Health’s nursing staff and playing a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes.
Transition to Practice: Investing in New Nurses
Vail Health’s Transition to Practice (TTP) program ensures that nurses transition smoothly from academic knowledge to practical expertise, equipping them with the skills necessary to handle complex situations.
Vail Health launched TTP in March 2019, with 36 participants to date. The 12-month program offers newly hired nurses professional development, conflict resolution skills, and practice managing dynamic patient scenarios. The cohort of new graduates receives focused support, on-the-job training, and mentoring from seasoned nurses while gaining experience in various hospital settings.
Enhancing Skills through Simulation Training
Benefactor funding supported the purchase of lifelike adult and infant simulators that allow for hands-on experience with complex patient scenarios. These high-fidelity mannequins are crucial in training our staff for high-risk and low frequency critical patient situations, supporting their clinical knowledge and skill. 59 staff, including nurses and patient care techs from the Intensive Care Unit and Patient Care Unit, participated in a simulated emergency scenario. The focus of this exercise was to enhance teamwork and rapid response abilities. Additionally, 44 nurses and emergency medical technicians from The Borgen Family Emergency Department participated in a pediatric simulation as well as an adult escape room simulation.
“With the mannequins, we can enact scenarios we don’t encounter regularly. The education we have instituted is life-changing to our patients,” recognizes Elizabeth Kruger, Vail Health Trauma Program Manager.
Family Birth Center Receives Benefactor Support
Contributions from benefactors fund training called “Spinning Babies” for nursing staff at the Family Birth Center (FBC) to assist mothers in labor, resulting in an easier birthing experience for both mother and baby. Funding was also granted to FBC staff to receive up to six weeks of training at Rose Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery department in Denver. “We are so fortunate for our nurses to participate in a high-volume birth center at Rose, which ensures our staff is highly trained and experienced,” says Elizabeth “Z” McDaniel, FBC Director.
