Benefits of a Flexible Neonatal Online Nursing Orientation Program

Online technologies are becoming widely used to cater to the differing needs of nurses. Traditional training consists of relatively passive exercises in classroom-type settings followed by observation of a preceptor; whereas online learning promotes active learning. Benefits of online learning include deeper learning, increased interaction, increased sense of learner control, economic efficiency, easily updated learning materials, and improved learner satisfaction, retention, and learning outcomes. The increasing cost for orientation is alarming. The cost of nurse turnover along with the high costs of orientation has skyrocketed. Online learning allows new nurses to enroll in the program at any point throughout the year, eliminating the repeat of didactic classes. On-line training provides new staff with consistent knowledge, policies, and procedures; rather than individual preceptors' opinions. Benefits of the online orientation program are many, with the ultimate goal to provide a more flexible, active learning environment.