This study evaluated nurses’ perceptions of a rapidly deployed critical care education program conducted to prepare a community hospital for its transformation to a COVID-19 treatment center. The education included a traditional didactic approach and incorporated experienced nursing support staff at the bedside. Nurses were interviewed about the strengths and weaknesses of the program, and for their perceptions of the additional clinical support. A distributed learning model with small groups attending multiple trainings could have improved the didactic session. However, there was positive feedback about the use of a “buddy” system and critical care education specialist in the intensive care unit setting.