AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Workforce Development: Nurse Internship

Dr. Bertram is an educator, program manager, and researcher with over 35 years experience in healthcare.  Her unique background encompasses 14 years of academic teaching experience and five years of being a Perinatal Clinical Educator.  She possesses an in-depth understanding of the disparities and linkages between academia and hospital service for students and new graduate nurses.

Her expertise includes implementation of an evidence-based framework for new graduate nurse clinical orientation and training programs dedicated to patient safety, job satisfaction and retention in a variety of clinical areas. The program had a steadily increasing retention rate over a five year period, with an average retention rate of 91% at two years of employment in 15 medical centers.

Dr. Bertram has custom designed and implemented Advanced Preceptor Training Programs and Mentoring Programs directed toward the professional growth of nurses.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Dr. Bertram is currently managing a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Education, Practice, and Retention grant that conducts quantitative and qualitative research on new graduate nurse orientation and training that leads to job satisfaction, patient safety, and retention. She also manages a Pilot Mentoring Program for managers.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Dr. Bertram obtained a $689,000 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Residency and Internship grant in 2003.  She has also conducted qualitative research on perceived ethical obligations of nurses in patient care.

Dr. Bertram’s teaching experiences include basic and accelerated nursing education, transition programs for new graduate nurses in clinical settings, and staff development. She has extensive expertise in designing and conducting educational programs for colleges and universities, hospitals, and clinics.

Dr. Bertram is a presenter at national and international conferences on nurse internship programs, ethics based frameworks in nursing practice, patient safety, and the dilemma of recruiting foreign nurses.

CREDENTIALS:

Dr. Bertram received her Diploma from Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing, Oakland, CA, an Associate of Arts from Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA, a Bachelor of Science Nursing from California State University, Sacramento, CA, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco, CA, a Doctorate of Nursing Science and Doctorate of Philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sylvia Bertram, RN, PhD
609 Ross Court

Sonoma, CA  95476

Phone: (707) 938-2310 / Fax: (815) 377-2573

Email: sylviabertram@comcast.net