[gapeachrn]

I have recently accepted the ICU team leader position at a rural hospital, and one of my responsibilities is to be the ICU educator. This is a new job position in the unit, and I am a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting an education program for the staff. Does anyone have an educational needs assessment tool for ICU? Also, if there are any critical care educators out there with great tips,advise, internet links, etc., I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!

[icunurse36]

Hey Peach:

I use Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio tapes and DVD's as well as her books. Also, I use the AACN Core Curriculum book and audio tapes for CCRN review. Even if they aren't studying for the CCRN, these are great reference materials. I tell all my new grads to get the book by Diepenbrock, Quick reference for Critical care and Gary Algozzine's Critical Care IV med spiral bound book for pocket references.

Email me if you have any questions, or reply to me here. I would be happy to help you and share stuff with you. I have a ton of critical care resources.

Chris

[gapeachrn]

Thanks so much for your response. I have the AACN Core Curriculum book, but I need to invest in some other resource books. I am trying to build a reference library, and don't really know where to start. I also am going to be presenting critical care in-services for the staff, so if you can let me know about any websites or helpful references, let me know. Thanks!

[RNFELICITY]

Originally Posted by gapeachrn

Thanks so much for your response. I have the AACN Core Curriculum book, but I need to invest in some other resource books. I am trying to build a reference library, and don't really know where to start. I also am going to be presenting critical care in-services for the staff, so if you can let me know about any websites or helpful references, let me know. Thanks!

WHat a huge undertaking but it sounds like you are up for the challenge. I think we could all benefit from additional resources!

Any shared here would be appreciated.

[-MNC_RN-]

In terms of *needs assessment*, I highly recommend the BKAT test. It's a comprehensive 100-point assessment test that breaks questions down into the various systems. It's a handy, quick tool.

[codeblue1961]

Originally Posted by gapeachrn

I have recently accepted the ICU team leader position at a rural hospital, and one of my responsibilities is to be the ICU educator. This is a new job position in the unit, and I am a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting an education program for the staff. Does anyone have an educational needs assessment tool for ICU? Also, if there are any critical care educators out there with great tips,advise, internet links, etc., I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!

I feel your pain. I am trying to build a program from scratch myself. Education has been very neglected in our unit. I think that my main thing to remember is that I can't do it all this week. I will look at the Laura G. book and already have the AACN Core Curriculum book. Being a dual role nurse (TL and educator) makes it tough, but that just means our success will be sweeter.

[Jumpsuit Jim]

See if you can start to get all of your new hires and less than 1 year nurses onto the ACCN website and do the ECCO program. Gotta pay, but if the hospital foots the bill, it is a great learning tool.