Objectives: We hypothesize that improving new hire training by utilizing a module-based didactic curriculum that reviews basic pediatric nutrition can help new hires achieve clinical competency quicker and thus help improve staffing turnover and alleviate burnout.
Methods: The Nemours Clinical Nutrition Education Committee created, maintained and reviewed the didactic curriculum which included five modules - estimating needs, assessing growth, reviewing basic components of formulas, and writing enteral and parenteral nutrition. Each module took two hours to review, and each encompassed corresponding literature, case studies and worksheets for independent work. After the didactic curriculum was reviewed, each new hire then began their clinical care training. The training process at Nemours requires a 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day review where clinical competency is assessed as “Advanced Beginner” and “Competent.”
Results: Trainers reported that training went faster, and that each new hire had a better baseline understanding of general pediatric nutrition upon entering their clinical training. The pass rate of the 90-day evaluation increased by 50% when compared to 2022, and trainees achieved clinical competency and autonomy over their services at a faster rate than compared to 2022.
Conclusions: We concluded that reviewing basic pediatric nutrition in a structured, module-based practice better prepared each new hire for their clinical training. We found that training time and burden was perceived to be less, and that each new hire had autonomy over their services faster. We hypothesize that improving new hire training can help improve staffing turnover and help alleviate burnout, further research will need to be conducted.
