Classes

A two-day course required for all RNs on units where patients are on cardiac monitors and for other staff members whose job involves monitoring cardiac rhythms. It is designed to relate the pathophysiology and nursing assessment to the nursing/medical management of cardiac patients, and review cardiac dysrhythmia interpretations and evidence-based interventions.

NOTE: Successful completion of the course requires the participant to pass an examination administered on day two of the class.

This course provides emergency room nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to appropriately triage patients. A triage nurse must have exceptional clinical expertise including critical thinking, communication, prioritization and decision-making skills.

Comprehensive understanding and implementation of ESI triage will help the emergency department nurses to rapidly identify patients in need of immediate medical attention, which will lead to improved patient outcomes. This course is intended for the experienced emergency department nurse.

The critical care and emergency department foundation classes allow nurses to gain clinical experience with the support of their preceptor while building confidence in the practice through problem based learning. Evidence based practice supports increased clinical competence among nurses who participate in simulated clinical care.

This course will cover ostomy care and treatment therapy including a brief history of ostomies, how ostomy equipment works, appropriate treatment, and hands-on practice performing ostomy dressing application and troubleshooting.

This course will cover wound care and negative pressure wound therapy including a brief history of NPWT, how wound vac equipment works, how and when NPWT is appropriate treatment, and hands-on practice performing NPWT dressing application and troubleshooting.

A three-day live course designed to assist Graduate Nurses (GNs) to successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The course combines review of key concepts and test taking strategy.

A full day live class required for all new nursing assistants (NAs) working in the acute care (hospital) setting. This class is designed to provide instruction on the most common NA tasks with a focus on Catholic Health policy and procedure.

Nursing Grand Rounds will be offered throughout the year. These educational sessions will provide our nursing associates the opportunity to share clinical experiences, including best practices on topics in which they are interested. When we share knowledge and experiences, it is anticipated we may improve patient outcomes.

The Phlebotomy program at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo prepares Intermediate Treatment Aids (ITA) to collect and process blood samples for medical laboratory analysis. The program provides ITA’s with information about basic anatomy, blood collection equipment, and the venipuncture process. The program prepares ITAs to function as phlebotomists in Mercy Hospital only. ITA must perform a minimum of 50 successful unaided blood draws during their externship.

This instructor-led class will provide 8 hours of instruction, including didactic, group discussions, and hands-on learning to promote the student's skills as a preceptor. The instructor will provide an educational foundation on roles and responsibilities of a preceptor, adult learning principles, effective communication strategies, clinical judgment via evidence-based practice, conflict resolution, use of reflective practices, and assessment/evaluation of the orientee to promote the success of the new learner.

Registered Nurses (RNs) working in the acute care setting attend a multi-day class to introduce them to the orientation process, review key nursing concepts, and become familiar with Catholic Health policies and procedures. Classes are taught by a variety of nursing education staff members and include classroom lecture, hands-on skill training, and patient care simulation experiences.

Those nurses with at least one year of experience in an acute care setting can attend only the first two days of class. All other RNs should attend all three days.

This live course provides an opportunity to become familiar with the process of responding to a code. Participants from various departments that respond to codes will be present. Topics covered will include chest compressions, using the Zoll monitor/defibrillator, medication administration, code cart contents, airway management, code documentation, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.