The purpose of an Orientation Program is to create a pathway for the new employee entering the Department of Nursing that is a seamless and individualized transition from being newly hired through a continuum of clinical and professional development.  Transition of the new employee occurs within an environment which fosters a culture of respect, mentorship, professional accountability and a life-long spirit of inquiry with the patient-centered relationship at its core.

The Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical and Professional Development Orientation Programs are built on the principles of: 

• Building synergy between and among the different role groups comprising the Department of Nursing
• Congruency between content and process structure with patient-centered care as the core principle;
• Best practices are the organizing structure of each orientation program;
• Resources (people, equipment, supplies, and space) are shared to maximize economies of scale and decrease duplication of effort; and
• Engaging in a personal journey through a continuity of care along with appropriate opportunities for Professional Development.