The program provides general departmental information in addition to an introduction to the psychiatric disorders to all nursing staff. It also adresses standards of documentation and specific skills for professional licensed nurses and provides fundamentals of nursing principles and practices for non-licensed nursing staff.

1. To orient new nursing employees to the organization of the hospital, its functions, policies, procedures and support system.

2. To provide new nursing employees with essential information related to job role, responsibilities and requirements.

3. To assist new nursing employees in developments of new skills and attitudes enabling them to perform in a secure, safe and

    effective manner and environment.

4. To formulate a body of knowledge for the new employee enabling them to understand, accept and cope with the emotionally

    ill patient.

5. To aid the new employee in establishing appropriate interpersonal relationships with patients and interdisciplinary staff.

6. To gain knowledge of emergency plans.

7. To initiate CPR and first aid in life threatening situations.

8. To illustrate appropriate methods of documentation.

9. To provide new employees with knowledge and skills of handling patient behavior situations in a safe and therapeutic way.

In addition to orientation Nursing Education provides nursing staff with continuing education on latest trends in psychiatric and medical issues, new technology and training of new equipment within the hospital.

In essence the nursing department's primary goal is to provide for all levels of nursing personnel the opportunity to acquire further knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to perform safely and effectively in the provision of health care for the psychiatric patient in accordance with their position description. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the provisions of quality care for our patients by meeting selected needs of patients, staff and the facility.