SPRING Program

Few professional moves cause more angst than leaving the familiarity of school to put your knowledge on the line in a hospital setting.

Relax! There's a reason we're confident you can go from new grad to Hopkins nurse--the SPRING program: Social and Professional Reality Integration for Nurse Graduates.

Of course, you'll get unit-specific orientation. But SPRING shepherds you through your entire first year at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, equipping you with a practical "tool kit" of skills and experiences you will use to develop into a full-fledged member of our health care team. Our innovative, 12-month program--led by nurse educators with proven ability to coach and mentor novice nurses--will enhance your clinical expertise, help you master complex concepts, sharpen your critical-thinking ability, promote your career advancement and develop your leadership potential.

How You Will Proceed

Besides having the personal and professional support of your one-on-one preceptor, you will:

• Attend classes taught by nurse educators, experienced clinicians and resource experts in patient advocacy, service recovery, pastoral care, risk management and palliative care.
• Participate in a variety of learning experiences: lectures, hands-on practice, skill labs, large- and small-group activities, clinical scenarios.
• Learn from others’ experience and from feedback through discussions with your peers.
• Get encouragement, coaching and professional development support through discussions with your SPRING nurse educator.

SPRING: Top to Bottom

Month 1

• Transition from student to RN
• Code 101
• Professional expectations
• Clinical skills practice
• Critical thinking in practice

Month 2

• Scheduling
• Clinical delegation
• Team communication strategies
• Balancing home and career
• Critical thinking in practice

Month 3

• Partnering with patients in care
• Conflict management
• Code 201
• Managing care in a dynamic environment
• Critical thinking through clinical scenarios

Month 6

• Patient advocacy/service recovery
• Assertiveness
• Code 301
• Collaboration among clinical units
• Performance management
• Pastoral care
• Critical thinking through clinical scenarios

Month 9

• Risk management
• Patient safety
• End-of-life issues
• Critical thinking through clinical scenarios

Month 12

• Professional development
• Career ladder advancement
• Exploring research
• You as a leader
• Precepting
• Role models and mentors
• SPRING celebration

Imagine Your Success

Before you know it, you will begin to feel like a full member of our interdisciplinary team.

Application Process

Enrollment into the SPRING program is automatic upon being offered a position on an adult inpatient unit. Classes will begin immediately and there is not a separate application process. Applications for a Nurse Clinician position are available online.