Congratulations on becoming an Associate at Ephraim McDowell Health! Our comprehensive orientation program is the beginning to your successful nursing career at EMH. Our goal is to give you information and tools to help you transition into your role of caring for your patients.

Recent nursing graduates and nurses without recent hospital experience:

Ephraim McDowell Health offers an intensive 12-week Nurse Residency Program for this group of nurses.

Generally offered in January and June.  Clinical orientation starts on the second Monday of each month.  Classes for RNs and LPNs are held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday the first week and Monday the second week.

Following classroom instruction, you'll spend at least eight weeks with a preceptor whose primary responsibility will be devoted to your orientation. Patient assignments will be taken during this period with a gradual increase in responsibility. One day per month for five months you'll receive additional classroom sessions. You will discuss body systems and appropriate nursing interventions with a qualified nurse educator. Twice weekly clinical conferences will be held throughout the residency phase. Problem-based learning has been proven to enhance the education process and lead to a more qualified, satisfied nurse. This also produces higher quality patient care.

Experienced Nurses:

The orientation process for experienced nurses is similar to the process described above. The first week and one day of employment will be spent in a classroom setting. Each nurse will become familiar with our products, procedures and policies. The classroom experience will be a combination of lecture, discussion, learning lab, & self-study modules.

Then each nurse will gain clinical experience with a preceptor whose primary responsibility will be devoted to orientation. During this period, patient assignments will be taken with a gradual increase in responsibility. The length of time in this phase of orientation is based on individual needs. We are willing to individualize the orientation process to the specific needs and schedules of each nurse.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA):

Orientation is a four-day process.Classes are held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The first week of employment is spent in a classroom setting. Each nurse will become familiar with our products, procedures and policies. The classroom experience will be a combination of lecture, discussion, learning lab and self-study modules.

Kentucky Licensure

To obtain a license to practice nursing in the state of Kentucky, please call (800)305-2042 or download the application form -- http://www.kbn.ky.gov

Kentucky Board of Nursing
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40222-5172

Registered nurses are required to have 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including CEUs from specific courses on HIV/AIDS and domestic violence.

For more information on licensing requirements, please visit the Kentucky Board of Nursing website at www.kbn.state.ky.us or email our Associate Education Department.