Few professional moves cause more angst than leaving the familiarity of school to put your knowledge on the line in a hospital setting. Relax! There’s a reason we’re confident you can go from new grad to Hopkins nurse--the SPRING program: Social and Professional Reality Integration for Nurse Graduates. Of course, you'll get unit-specific orientation. But SPRING shepherds you through your entire first year at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, equipping you with a practical "tool kit" of skills and experiences you will use to develop into a full-fledged member of our health care team. Our innovative, 12-month program--led by nurse educators with proven ability to coach and mentor novice nurses--will enhance your clinical expertise, help you master complex concepts, sharpen your critical-thinking ability, promote your career advancement and develop your leadership potential. How You Will Proceed
Besides having the personal and professional support of your one-on-one preceptor, you will: | - Attend classes taught by nurse educators, experienced clinicians and resource experts in patient advocacy, service recovery, pastoral care, risk management and palliative care.
- Participate in a variety of learning experiences: lectures, hands-on practice, skill labs, large- and small-group activities, clinical scenarios.
- Learn from others’ experience and from feedback through discussions with your peers.
- Get encouragement, coaching and professional development support through discussions with your SPRING nurse educator.
| SPRING: Top to Bottom
Month 1 | - Transition from student to RN
- Code 101
- Professional expectations
- Clinical skills practice
- Critical thinking in practice
| | Month 2 | - Scheduling
- Clinical delegation
- Team communication strategies
- Balancing home and career
- Critical thinking in practice
| | Month 3 | - Partnering with patients in care
- Conflict management
- Code 201
- Managing care in a dynamic environment
- Critical thinking through clinical scenarios
| | Month 6 | - Patient advocacy/service recovery
- Assertiveness
- Code 301
- Collaboration among clinical units
- Performance management
- Pastoral care
- Critical thinking through clinical scenarios
| | Month 9 | - Risk management
- Patient safety
- End-of-life issues
- Critical thinking through clinical scenarios
| | Month 12 | - Professional development
- Career ladder advancement
- Exploring research
- You as a leader
- Precepting
- Role models and mentors
- SPRING celebration
Imagine Your Success
Before you know it, you will begin to feel like a full member of our interdisciplinary team. |
Application Process
Enrollment into the SPRING program is automatic upon being offered a position on an adult inpatient unit. Classes will begin immediately and there is not a separate application process. Applications for a Nurse Clinician position are available online. | 
