The Behavioral Health Track

The behavioral health track provides experience in pediatric behavioral health settings, including inpatient and crisis assessment units. Nurses collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. Shifts range from 8 to 12 hours and may include day, evening, night and weekend schedules based on department needs. The focus is on delivering trauma-informed care that supports each patient’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

Program Structure & Curriculum

The focus of this track is to provide hands-on experience in inpatient and crisis assessment units. Nurses will gain exposure to acute care behavioral health settings, working mainly 12-hour shifts that may vary between day, night and weekends depending on the needs of each department.

Orientation and Training

Once you're hired, you'll complete new orientation for team members and attend our skills validation course in our clinical skills lab. Next, you’ll start area-specific orientation with your preceptor. You’ll work one-on-one to learn the essential knowledge and skills needed for caring for patients in that specialty area.

Requirements

You'll work your hired shift schedule (8 or 12 hours, days, nights, weekends), apart from a few designated days for classroom instruction. There are scheduled educational sessions and cohort meetings, which you'll be expected to attend. When you finish orientation requirements, you'll work independently as a full-time team member of your area. Classroom instruction will continue through the first year of employment.

Nurse Residency Program Focus

The Nurse Residency program cohort meetings focus on incorporating these key concepts into your practice:

• Patient and family-centered care

• Communication skills

• Wellbeing initiatives

• Nursing care for common behavioral health needs

• Professional development

• Evidence-based practice

Hands-On Learning and Support

Program activities are engaging and include using case studies, simulation and creative learning. All activities promote the development of your critical thinking skills to anticipate pediatric patient care needs. Each cohort meeting includes time for debriefing and coping skills.

Hours and Shifts

You'll generally work 36 hours per week on your designated shift. Most new graduate nurses start on night shift. Depending on the staffing needs of the area, there may be other shift opportunities available.