Just-in-Time Training for the Use of ICU Nurse Extenders During COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic included a plan to provide just-in-time training for nursing staff and paraprofessionals from throughout the organization in the event that it became overwhelmed with more critically ill patients than the facility was staffed to manage. Training conducted was a combination of online learning from the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Association of Critical Care Nurses as well as a 2-hour block of hands-on skills. The three competencies for floating staff from Wright's Method for Competency Assessment were utilized in the training process, allowing trainees to (1) learn to fly, (2) market themselves in a positive way, and (3) understand crisis management options. Quick implementation of the plan led to over 125 nurses and paraprofessionals receiving the education and training in preparation for the pandemic response. The article further discusses training topics covered and the competency expectations for non-critical care nurses trained.