Research, recommendations for practice, and an open-minded approach constitute the basis of continuous professional development at Kootenai. For our nurses, lifelong learning is more often the norm than the exception.
Orientation
Professional development begins on the first day. Nurses start with an in-depth general orientation to the hospital, followed by a customized orientation to the nursing unit.
Nurse Residency
In addition to orientation and preceptorship on the nursing unit, our new graduate nurses are enrolled in Kootenai’s Nurse Residency program. These monthly workshops provide essential tools and information as our new nurses build their professional practice during their first six months of employment. For more information click here.
Credentialing
Kootenai offers the credentialing classes nurses need to be successful, including those for ACLS, PALS, BLS, TNCC and more. The education department’s staff development nurses provide the knowledge and skills Kootenai nurses need in their practice.
Nursing Certification
Kootenai encourages nurses pursuing advanced certification in their chosen nursing specialty. Approximately one in three Kootenai nurses hold a specialty certification, which is almost three times the national average.
Areas of specialization include, but are not limited to:
- Critical care (CCRN)
- Surgery (CNOR)
- Medical/surgical (RN-BC)
- Women’s health and obstetrics (RN-BC)
- Oncology (OCN)
- Emergency (CEN)
Other Benefits
Kootenai’s tuition assistance program can help ease the financial burden of pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Find a complete list of Kootenai Health employee benefits on the careers page. For any other questions or information, contact Kootenai Health’s Human Resources department at (208) 625-4620.