Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What makes nursing at Hunterdon Medical Center stand out from other hospitals?

Our retention rate is 95% and our nurse-to-patient ratios are excellent, i.e. 1 : 4 or 5 patients on day shift med/surg, 1: 5 or 6 patients on evening shift and 1:6 patients on night shift.  Our holistic model of nursing and our shared governance structure allow us to be patient centered as well as nurse centered.  We use the Council model for shared governance and it has been here since 1989.  Shared Governance gives our staff its voice to determine how nursing is practiced at Hunterdon Medical Center.
 
2.  What kind of orientation can I expect?

All new employees to our Healthcare System have two complete days of New Employee Orientation conducted by our Human Resources Department.  Immediately following this orientation, employees of the nursing department report for Staff Development Orientation.  This is nursing specific – for an RN this orientation lasts an additional five days in a classroom setting with Staff Development Instructors.  Upon leaving Staff Development orientation, an RN is assigned a Preceptor on the nursing unit.  Our Preceptors are specially prepared RNs who have met specific criteria which includes having excellent clinical skills, expressed a desire to be a preceptor and have been selected by their Director as meeting the criteria for the Preceptor Program.  The nurse and preceptor will share an assignment.  An experienced RN will have approximately two weeks in the preceptor program.  A new graduate will have six weeks with a preceptor.  We have preceptors on all shifts.  We do, however, tailor our orientation to meet individual needs when necessary.  Specific training courses are given following orientation.  We offer a formal Mentor Program on every nursing unit which begins once this initial orientation is completed.
 
3.  What kind of education and training can I expect?

For most of the inpatient nursing units, IV and Telemetry certification is required.  These courses are taught by our Staff Development Department, which is an approved Provider of contact hours by the New Jersey State Nurses Association.  A Ventilator Course is given as well as a Critical Care certification course for specific units.  BLS, ACLS, PALS, Neonatal Resuscitation, Fetal Monitoring, trauma and stroke training are provided as per unit requirements.  Educational needs are continually assessed and inservices or independent studies are offered on a regular basis.  We are committed to giving our staff on every shift the necessary tools and education to provide the safest, most effective care for our patients.  Nurses are encouraged to become certified in their area of practice and 40% have done so at HMC. 
 
4. How is performance evaluated? 

 All employees are evaluated annually.  Full and part time employees receive a performance based merit increase on an annual basis.
 
5. If I choose to start my nursing career at Hunterdon Medical Center, is there a career path for me?

 Yes,  we present opportunities for our staff and encourage growth and professional advancement .  We are very proud of the fact that the majority of our current Nurse Directors were one time staff nurses here.   We are participants in the nationally recognized Clinical Nurse Leader program.   As an independent healthcare system, there are opportunities within all aspects of nursing.  Our nursing staff can choose to participate in our Professional Achievement Levels (similar to a clinical ladder) on an annual basis and be rewarded with a bonus for doing so.  Nurses are also rewarded for being nationally certified in their specialty.   We offer generous Tuition Reimbursement to all full and part time employees who wish to enhance their healthcare related careers as well.  Opportunities, such as the Patient Care Assistant Training Program, allow for the ability to begin a healthcare career as well.
 
6.  What are your requirements for being per diem on the inpatient nursing units?

Our policy states that a per diem is required to work a minimum of one weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in a four week schedule as well as one major holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s ) and one minor holiday (Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day) if asked to do so.  Further incentives are offered to those per diems who work additional weekend shifts through the Progressive Weekend Per Diem program.