Professional advancement model for critical care orientation.

The Mayo Medical Center, Rochester, Minnesota, has developed a unique collaborative method to educate both the experienced and the recent graduate nurse about critical care. These programs are 12 to 16 weeks and include a classroom, a skills lab, computer-assisted learning, and preceptor instruction. The curriculum model design incorporates Benner's novice-to-expert professional advancement model. Professional growth of the critical care nurse occurs through a combination of educational strategies that build on general theory to the application of critical thinking skills. The result of this program is a competent, practicing, critical care nurse.