NPDS Clinical Staff Orientation Initiative
Bridging the Communication Gap Between Clinical Staff and EMR Training
Project Overview
Recognizing an opportunity to improve communication and preparedness among incoming nurses and other clinical staff, this initiative focused on introducing team members to the EMR training process before they began formal training.
The goal was to close the information gap between clinical onboarding and EMR education by providing staff with a clear understanding of what to expect, how training would be structured, what resources would be available, and how to prepare for the learning experience.
By establishing an earlier point of engagement, the initiative sought to create a more informed, confident, and prepared clinical workforce.
Business Need / Problem Statement
Clinical staff entering new roles needed greater visibility into the EMR training process and what would be expected of them before beginning formal training.
Without early communication, staff could experience uncertainty regarding:
What EMR training would involve.
When and how training would take place.
What preparation was expected.
Where to find training resources and support.
How the training process connected to their clinical onboarding experience.
This created an opportunity to strengthen communication, align expectations, and improve readiness before staff entered the formal training environment.
Project Objective
Develop and introduce a proactive orientation approach that connects clinical onboarding with EMR training expectations.
Key objectives:
Increase awareness of the EMR training process.
Establish clear expectations before formal training begins.
Improve communication between NPDS and clinical staff.
Provide early access to relevant training information and resources.
Reduce uncertainty and help staff feel better prepared.
Strengthen coordination between clinical onboarding and EMR education.
Project Scope
In Scope
Identifying communication gaps in the clinical onboarding experience.
Developing an orientation approach for nurses and other clinical staff.
Introducing EMR training expectations and processes.
Communicating training preparation requirements and available resources.
Coordinating messaging and engagement with NPDS and relevant stakeholders.
Supporting alignment between clinical onboarding and EMR education.
Out of Scope
Replacing formal EMR training programs.
Changing clinical onboarding policies or requirements.
Modifying EMR system functionality or configuration.
Replacing existing clinical education responsibilities.
Key Stakeholders
New nurses and incoming clinical staff.
Nursing Professional Development Specialists (NPDS).
Epic Principal Trainers and EMR education teams.
Clinical educators and department leadership.
Clinical onboarding teams.
Operational and organizational stakeholders.
Project Strategy & Execution
Phase 1: Identify the Gap
Recognize the need for earlier communication regarding EMR training and the expectations placed on incoming clinical staff.
Phase 2: Stakeholder Alignment
Engage relevant onboarding, clinical education, and EMR training stakeholders to identify information needs and opportunities for improved coordination.
Phase 3: Orientation Development
Establish an approach for introducing EMR training information as part of the clinical staff orientation experience.
Phase 4: Communication & Engagement
Provide clinical staff with information about training expectations, preparation, resources, and what to anticipate before formal training begins.
Phase 5: Alignment & Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to strengthen communication and improve the connection between clinical onboarding and EMR education.
Project Deliverables
Clinical staff EMR orientation approach.
Training expectations and preparation information.
Communication materials and orientation content.
Alignment between NPDS onboarding and EMR training.
A repeatable process for early clinical staff engagement.
Project Management Competencies Demonstrated
Problem Identification & Needs Assessment
Project Planning & Coordination
Stakeholder Analysis & Engagement
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Communications Planning
Change Readiness
Training Program Coordination
Process Improvement
Organizational Alignment
Continuous Improvement
Intended Organizational Impact
The initiative was designed to create a more connected onboarding and EMR training experience by ensuring clinical staff received important information earlier in their transition.
Expected benefits included:
Improved awareness of EMR training expectations.
Greater preparedness before formal training.
More consistent communication across onboarding and education teams.
Reduced uncertainty for incoming clinical staff.
Stronger collaboration between clinical education and EMR training.
A more coordinated introduction to the technology and resources staff would use in their roles.
Project Takeaway
Successful implementation begins before formal training ever takes place.
By recognizing a communication gap and developing a proactive orientation approach, this initiative demonstrated the value of stakeholder engagement, early preparation, and cross-functional collaboration in supporting organizational change and technology adoption.
