To help new graduate nurses gain the experience needed to begin work in specialty areas, HCA Gulf Coast Division has implemented StaRN, a Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses. This program focuses on Medical/Surgical, Telemetry, Critical Care Nursing, Women’s Services, ER, OR, Cath Lab and Behavioral Health.
This program is 13-16-weeks simulation lab, on-site training, and online coursework. During the training time (first 6 weeks), the schedule will be Monday-Friday, with 40 hour work weeks (8- hour days). After this training period, the shifts will transition to 12 hours at the facility. Didactic and Simulation training is provided at an offsite location.
All participants that successfully complete the program will move into full-time roles at the facility that extended the initial offer. All who are selected for this program will be asked to sign a 2-year commitment with the facility of hire. If the candidate leaves the facility for any reason before the 2-year commitment is fulfilled, they will be required to meet a financial responsibility.
Nurses who finish the StaRN Program will not only have specific, hands-on experience in their chosen specialties, they also will have achieved several certifications in areas including basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, and the National Institute of Health’s Stroke Scale program. The program also uses the TeamSTEPPS® training developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Through the training and simulations, which include American Association of Critical-Care Nurses curriculum and six to seven weeks of clinical preceptorship, the new nurses are standing on their own much faster. With this additional training, patients are getting the benefit of experienced nurses.
Apply Now for the StaRN Program
The StaRN Behavioral Health Nurse Specialty Program is a unique educational opportunity to meet a critical need for Behavioral Health Nurses. It is innovatively designed to provide intense post graduate training for newly licensed nurses. The paid 14-week program combines blended learning with Didactic, Skills Practice, Case Studies, eLearning, and Clinical Preceptorship in the Behavioral Health Nursing Unit of the sponsoring hospital. Upon completion, the newly licensed nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skill set typically found in a more experienced staff nurse.
What does StaRN stand for?
The acronym StaRN stands for “Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses.”
What is the program comprised of?
The program is comprised of seven weeks of medical surgical training, followed by a one week/five days/40 hours of a comprehensive Behavioral Health Educational Program. This Week Seven Behavioral Health Week includes didactic training, case studies, hands-on skills practice, eLearning, along with a 6 week clinical preceptorship at the sponsoring hospital. The newly licensed nurse is oriented to the hospital in which he or she will be working, and is better prepared for a standard patient assignment upon successful completion of the program.
What is the program content?
The program is based on the national standards of Psychiatric Nursing. Facility-specific training initiatives will be incorporated into this comprehensive training program as well. Learners will be BLS, ACLS, and CPI certified. Learners will also be introduced and trained on the Facility Electronic Health Record by HealthTrust, along with the facility education team.
When do the learners become hospital employees?
All learners will transition to the facilities payroll following successful completion of the StaRN Behavioral Health Comprehensive Training Program.
How long does the program last?
The program length is 14 weeks. The first seven (7) weeks includes a combination of didactic education, online learning, and hands-on clinical training in the Medical Surgical Telemetry StaRN Program. Week Eight (8) provides a 5 day/40 hour comprehensive Behavioral Health Training Program, followed by the 6 weeks of clinical preceptorship, with an experienced clinical preceptor from the hiring hospital.
How will learner hours be classified for productivity purposes?
All learners will be on HealthTrust’s payroll for the duration of the 14 week training. At time of completion, the learners will be transferred to the sponsoring hospital payroll.
Are the nurses paid during the training?
Yes, learners are paid an hourly training wage during the 14 week program. Learners are categorized as non-exempt, temporary HealthTrust employees during the program.
What is expected of the learner during the StaRN Behavioral Health Nurse Specialty Program?
All learners are required to be present and on-time for EVERY day of didactic, hands-on skills/training and preceptorship. There is a significant amount of instruction provided each day, and there is no opportunity for “make up” days in the StaRN Behavioral Health Nurse Specialty Program. The learner is expected to come to class daily prepared with laptop, stethoscope, professionally dressed with an engaged, positive, and courteous attitude.
What is the schedule of the Week Eight/Five Day/40 Hour StaRN Behavioral Health Program?
The schedule may vary slightly depending on market request, timing and resource demands. The Week Seven Behavioral Health Training includes the following topics:
The Six Week Clinical Preceptorship includes direct nursing care of the Behavioral Health Patients, along with the additional clinical experiences as listed below:
Who are the preceptors?
The preceptors are selected by the hiring manager at the sponsoring hospital. The preceptors must attend a preceptor orientation program sponsored by HealthTrust. The training is designed to introduce the preceptors to the StaRN Program, Content and Expectations during preceptorship. The learner and preceptor spend time together reviewing behavior, interpersonal, basic medical surgical knowledge, and basic math ability assessments that were completed by the learner on the first day of the program. They also complete True Colours™ training to help recognize and appreciate personality strengths and preferences of self and others, and improve communication for professional success.
Where will the training be conducted?
How are candidates selected?
The sourcing and recruiting of candidates will be the responsibility of the facility and recruitment team. Once interviewed and selected, HealthTrust will begin the on- boarding process to included background screen and license verification. The facility will complete the normal health information / requirement to include a Drug Screen and forward to HealthTrust when completed.
Do the learners pay for the program?
No. The hospital pays a placement fee that covers the cost of the StaRN Program for the learners.
Is there a facility commitment following the training?
The participating nurse will make a two-year commitment to work at the sponsor hospital. The newly licensed RN Learner will be obligated to repay a pro-rated portion of the educational costs should the learner break that commitment.
Does a candidates need to have their nursing license to enter the program?
Upon entering the StaRN Behavioral Health Nurse Specialty Program, the candidate MUST have obtained the RN License, prior to acceptance into the program.
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