How to Apply for a Position in ICU

Application for a position in ICU should be made to theDNM.An application form will be sent to you, this shouldbe completed and returned to Nursing Personnel. If you wish to transfer from an existing ward your letter ofrequest should be submitted to the DNM.

For enquiries please contact Nursing Personnel at 01 2094605 or e-mail g.semple@st-vincents.ie seealso www.st-vincents.ie

How to Apply for a Position on the Higher Diploma Course

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCD, advertise theirpostgraduate nursing programmes in the national media in February each year. The application process involvescompleting a detailed application form and submittingdocumentation, which will support your application.

Nurses wishing to undertake this programme should beregistered with An Bord Altranais and have at least one-year post-registration nursing experience. Preference willbe given to students with critical care experience.

Further information on the Higher Diploma in NursingStudies (Critical Care Nursing) can be obtained from Ms. Maria Blair, Health Science Building, UniversityCollege Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. Tel 01 7166448 or Ms Katie Wedgeworth School of Nursing and Midwifery,University College Dublin, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2,Tel 01 7166447 also see web page at www.ucd.ie/nursing

Prepared by ICU Clinical Nurse Managers and ClinicalFacilitators February 2005

2nd Edition

Theoretical content is delivered in University CollegeDublin, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St.Vincent’s University Hospital followed by supernumeraryclinical foundation placements in the Mater MisericordiaeUniversity Hospital, the Blackrock Clinic and Mater PrivateHospital. The Higher Diploma in Critical Care is led anddirected by the UCD course leader, Ms. Katie Wedgeworth.

St. Brigids Ward

The National Liver Transplant programme is located in St.Vincent’s University Hospital.The unit cares for patientswith complex medical and surgical Liver problems.Approximately 40-45 adult liver transplant operations areundertaken per year.The programme has been extremelysuccessful and has resulted in an expansion of the unit to21 beds that will include 5 intensive care beds in thefuture. Each higher diploma staff nurse spends a number ofweeks in St. Brigid’s Ward working both day and night duty.

High Dependency Unit (HDU)

The HDU comprises four beds.The unit cares for patientsthat have undergone major thoracic and vascular surgerybut do not require mechanical ventilation.The multidisci-plinary team delivers the highest level of care to patientspost complex surgery. Each higher diploma staff nurse willspend a short (day duty) placement in the HDU.

Study Leave

For staff undertaking the higher diploma in critical carenursing, paid study leave is provided to support attendanceat college, ACLS, exams and clinical placements. Theamount of study depends on the number of modulesundertaken (3.1 days – 24 hours per module). For exampleYear 1 (3 modules) = 9 study days (70.2 hours);Year 2 (5modules) = 16 days (124.8 hours).This may change arisingfrom course developments and the planned reviews of thestudy leave policy. Study leave is calculated in hours SD =7.8 hours – a LD is 12 hours and ND 11.15 hours. Adetailed Academic Study Leave Form is completed, alongwith a learning contract, and form of undertaking agreedwith the CNM and returned to the Divisional NurseManager (DNM) for approval.

Thinking about a Career in Intensive Care

Nursing?ST.VINCENT’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Elm Park, Dublin 4

www.st-vincents.iewww.ucd. ursing

Information for nurses interestedin working in ICU or interested in

undertaking the Higher Diploma inCritical Care Nursing (ICU pathway)

The eight bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) offers the best of both the art and science of nursing. At StVincent’s we have combined the latest trends in medicine and technology with a focus on caring forpeople. Quality and service define our culture of excellence, which incorporate the core values of;human dignity, compassion, justice and advocacy.

The finest nurses, physicians and multidisciplinary teammembers working together make a critical difference in the ‘patients’ lives. For nurses the ICU working environment provides teamwork, continuous learning,innovation and a positive work environment. Innovatetreatment modalities continually challenge-nursing staffto learn more, do more and be more.

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Coming on Stream

A major expansion programme is currently nearing completion in front of the main hospital, planned to openwithin the next year.The brand new state of the art unitwill incorporate 16 critical care beds with panoramicviews of Dublin bay on the fourth floor of the new building.With the most recent technology and up-to-dateplanning we hope to create a spacious, aerodynamicallyfriendly working environment for patients, visitors and allmembers of the multidisciplinary team.

Orientation

A comprehensive orientation programme is offered for allnew staff/staff transferring to ICU.> New staff members attend the hospital orientation

programme (5 days) arranged by the Nurse EducationCenter. Mandatory in-service education is covered during this week; CPR, Moving and Handling, I/V Policyand Fire safety.

> A two-week ICU orientation (supernumerary) isarranged for each new staff member by the ClinicalFacilitators in consultation with the CNMs, which incorporates a competency based continuous skills evaluation..

Clinical Support

Within ICU, St. Brigid’s Ward and the High DependencyUnit, Clinical Facilitators, CNMs and experienced staff arepresent to guide new staff members and students to the knowledge, experience and skills required for thedevelopment of a competent critical care nurse.

Multidisciplinary Team

Each shift is lead by a CNM with one to one nurse patientratios, supported by a Health Care Assistant, Secretaryand Orderly. A Consultant Intensivist leads the medicalteam. The other core members of the team are: theClinical Facilitators, Microbiologists, Clinical Pharmacists,Pharmacy Technicians, Physiotherapists, Dieticians,Radiographers, Clinical Engineers, Cleaners, and membersof the chaplinary service.

Duty Patterns

Duty patterns offer flexibility to balance, where possible,work and personal commitments. The team comprisesfull-time and part-rime nurses.The majority of staff chose towork a Long Day (LD) shift pattern.A system of self-rosteringbased on agreed numbers and skill mix per shift operates.The staff proposed roster is prepared four weeks in advanceand approved by the CNM. Each long day = 12 hours; 156hours worked over a 4 week period = 13 LDs. Total 39hours per week divided over a 4- week period.This meansyou work 3 weeks of 3-LDs and 1 of 4 LDs (1:4 rota) permonth. Internal rotation to night duty is in operation. ICUcourse students are not rostered for night duty on the dayprior to or after a scheduled theory day and subsequentlywork seven nights over a two week period.

Annual Leave

Holidays for full time nursing staff (pro rata for part-time)are planned in the following way:

> 78 hours (2 weeks) by the end of April.> 156 hours (4 weeks) by the end of August.> 234 hours (6 weeks) by the end of December.

Holidays are calculated in hours and can be taken eitheras a 3 LD week or a 4 LD week. All leave must be takenwithin the calendar year, as it cannot be carried forward.

Professional Development

St.Vincent’s ICU offer critical care nurses an abundance ofopportunities for professional growth and development.

We provide > An autonomous and supportive environment > Exposure to the latest advances in treatment> Diverse patient populations> Continuous challenges to stimulate critical thinking skills

St.Vincents ICU is strongly committed to and supportiveof career development for nurses.

Professional development includes> Precepted orientation> In-service education> ACLS training (including updates)> Study leave to support continuous professional

development (Short courses / conferences)> Higher diploma in Critical Care Nursing (ICU pathway)

Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing

The critical care nurse requires specialised professionaleducation and practice to acquire specific knowledge,clinical and technical expertise and appropriate interpersonalskills in order to provide comprehensive holistic care tothe critically ill patient and family.

In association with the School of Nursing and Midwifery,University College Dublin (UCD), a Higher Diploma inNursing Studies (Critical Care Nursing) is offered at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Clinical experience isgained on both day and night duty. ICU is the home basefor higher diploma students, which also incorporatesplacements in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and theNational Liver Transplant Unit (St. Brigid’s Ward)

We advise that students have, where possible, at least sixmonths ICU nursing experience prior to commencing the programme.

Outline of the Programme

The progarmme may be studied over one or two academicyears depending on the students previous academic achieve-ments.Year one (Part 1) comprises three modules: NursingTheory and Practice 1; Nursing Research; and BiologicalSciences. Year two (Part 2) comprises five modules:Health Promotion and Health Education; AppliedResearch/Management/Clinical Leadership; Care of thePerson with Altered Respiratory Function;Care of the personwith Special Needs; and Care of the Person with Multi-organDysfunction. Nurses wishing to undertake the intensive carepathway must be employed in ICU duringYear 2 of the course.

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