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Critical Care Training Program
​​​​​​​The CCTP program started in the early 2000's as a homegrown training program for internal employees wanting to advance into the Critical Care Region.  The program has evolved and grown over the years into a strong, meaningful and impactful program creating a solid foundation for new to ICU nurses transitioning into the critical care region.

Applications Now Open
Applications have closed for our August 2024 cohort. 
Interviews begin in May. 
Applications for March 2025 cohort open in November. 

Our program features the following structure:

As a transition to practice program, the goal of the Stanford Health Care Critical Care Training Program is to support the successful transition of new to Critical Care registered nurses into clinical practice with in our 6 specialty ICUs and the Critical Care Float Pool. Our program is thoughtfully designed for highly motivated, determined and dedicated acute care nurses. The program aspires to develop competent, compassionate, and committed clinical nurses who make a positive impact in the lives of our patients.
  • Support Structure: Group mentorship, peer support activities and individualized check-in sessions support the successful transition to practice for new to ICU nurses.
  • Workshops: Throughout the program, these workshops focus on Emotional Intelligence, Resiliency, Critical Thinking, and Therapeutic Communication
  • Application Based Learning: Monthly seminars that foster group learning facilitated by content experts focusing on- Bridging the Knowledge Gap from acute care to critical care, Leadership, Quality Outcomes, and Professional Role
  • Immersive Clinical Training: 280+ hours of direct clinical orientation with a trained preceptor utilizing a structured precepting model

ICU Specialties Offered 

Our program hires nurses into a variety specialty areas. Participation is dependent on organizational need and subject to change. Below are the areas that participate in the Critical Care Transition to Practice (CCTP) program:
Critical Care Float Pool
Medical/Oncology ICU
Cardiovascular Surgery (CVICU)
Trauma/Surgical
Transplant ICU
Medical ICU
Neuro ICU
Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)/Cardiovascular Surgery (CVICU)
Qualifications
    Education Qualifications:
    Must be a graduate from an accredited ADN, BSN or MSN program. Accredited online programs included. 

    Experience:
    •  1 year, within the last 2 years, of Acute Care or Emergency Department RN experience required.
    •  2 years, within the last 3 years, of Acute Care or Emergency Department RN experience preferred.

    Licenses and Certifications:
    •  California Registered Nurse (RN) license
    •  Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for providers issued by the American Heart Association
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
    ​​​​​​Application Components
      • Cover Letter Required
      • Resume
        • Work Experience: Must provide job title, responsiblities and time frame for employment
      • Online Application - will include three essay questions about clinical experience. ​​​​​​​

      Program Timeline


      take time away
      April 8th-April 18, 2024

      Applications Open for the Critical Care Training Program. 
      future plan
      May/June 2024 Interviews conducted with our ICU patient care managers.
      stay healthy
      July 2024 Offers made to candidates accepted into the CCTP. 
      stay healthy
      August 19, 2024 Critical Care Training Program Cohort  Begins

      CCTP Alumni Testiomials 

      The CCTP Program prepared me for a career in the Critical Care setting by providing me
      with 10weeks of preceptorship with preceptors who provided excellent learning opportunities by advocating for interesting patient assignments and pushing me to become a more competent and organized nurse. Additionally, CCTP provided theory classes that supplemented my learning and helped integrate what I was doing at the bedside into the classroom.

      CCTP gave me insight into additional leadership roles that are available on my unit and within the region. I feel like the best part of the program was my preceptorship! I was lucky to have preceptors who cared about my growth and were good at training a nurse transitioning into the ICU.

      My “WHY” … I wanted to work in critical care because I wanted to work in a setting
      where my work would make more of a direct impact to the patients who needed it the most and because I wanted to further grow my nursing skillset. My biggest takeaway from the program is that CCTP provides an excellent opportunity for nurses who want to continue growing their nursing skillset             Kevin V CCTP Graduate 2022
      I definitely feel like I have improved greatly in terms of clinical proficiency building
      knowledge and skills to effectively perform careful decision making and practice towards
      patient care.              Jamie E CCTP Graduate 2023
      The camaraderie it brought knowing that I'm not alone embarking on this new journey
      in my career and hearing other people feel the same way I do/did in regards to feeling stuck and imposter syndrome was the best value             Romi U. CCTP Graduate 2023