About the GEMS Program
The GEMS program began at Stamford Hospital in August 2009 with its first cohort consisting of 25 graduate nurses.
GEMS (Graduate: Engaged, Mastering, Succeeding), is a 12 week orientation program for new RN graduates with less than one year of experience. It is specifically designed to provide the extra support and education needed for new nursing graduates. The participants are placed in a cohort consisting of 20-25 other GEMS nurses, allowing each participant to have a strong support system. Each GEMS nurse will be assigned to a primary preceptor, a highly experienced and qualified mentor who is responsible for the coordination of the orientation. Communication between each GEMS nurse and their preceptor is very important to the success of the program. The program has a key focus on group discussion, however each nurse is encouraged to journal daily experiences throughout the required curriculum and clinical rotations.
The 12 week program begins with 2 weeks in the classroom and continues with 6 weeks spent rotating through 3 units (2 weeks per unit). GEMS nurses will rotate in three units of their chosen track, chosing from adult health, critical care, maternal child, and perioperative services.*
Each week a mandatory lunch and learn session is held with a GEMS coordinator, allowing for debriefing and reflection. At each of these sessions a selected learning topic is presented to further educate the GEMS nurses.
After rotating through three units of their chosen track, participants select and interview for the area of best fit as a "home unit". Once a home unit is chosen, the GEMS nurses will have a 4 week orientation on that unit to complete the 12 week program.
*These four tracks are subject to change based on the availability of staffing needs.