I would like to nominate the Clinical Education Department at UMC for the Team Award for outstanding service to the clinical staff caring for our patients. Ever since Noel Madic, RN, MSN, became the manager of this department, excellence has been the standard for all classes taught, and improving the quality of education has been the goal. Through collaboration with leadership in nursing, respiratory, PT, OT, ST, and pharmacy, our department has developed education on the latest evidence-based interventions, procedures, and practices.

An exemplar of this quality education is the Practice Transition Program (PTAP) at UMC of Southern Nevada. Since initially becoming accredited with distinction for the PTAP supporting medical/surgical nurses, the program has grown to include critical care, emergency nursing, intermediate care, pediatrics, and maternal-child. All new nurses working at UMC receive individualized education, preceptors, classroom lectures, field trip experiences with ancillary team members, and support from clinical educators, nurse managers, and peers. This initial experience for our new nurses is an example of how we care for our staff.

After new nurses' initial preceptorship has been successfully completed and these staff begin to care for their own patient care assignments, there is ongoing support through Breakfast Club meetings throughout the employee's first year in practice. These nurses are also matched with a mentor to provide continued assistance as their practice progresses. This department has an excellent team of highly educated and experienced clinical educators. Their hard work and care for all clinical staff deserve to be recognized. By continuing to provide education and support to employees by delivering a high-quality product, our caregivers are able to deliver the best care anywhere.