RICHMOND, Ind. — Reid Health announces it has joined the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™ to ease the transition of newly graduated nurses to clinical practice. The program, which welcomed its first class Aug. 5, promotes quality, safety, and reduces turnover rates for first-year nurses.

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, said the cohort will include graduating nurses and RNs within their first year of nursing who have been hired by Reid Health and have Indiana licensing from an accredited college or university. Surgery nurses and non-traditional graduate nurses who haven’t previously practiced in acute care can also participate.

“Reid Health is thrilled to welcome its first resident nurses to the team,” Foust-Cofield said. “The Nurse Residency Program allows us to support and mentor our new nurses as they begin their careers and will benefit our patients.”

The Nurse Residency Program is an initiative of Reid’s Nursing Excellence, Resilience, and Development (NERD) department, which offers continual training and education for nurses, nursing care assistants, and nursing students to provide high-quality care to patients.

More than 20 nurse residents started with Reid’s health system and the care team during a two-week orientation on Aug. 5. The nurse residents are now beginning the first of 12 monthly seminars to complete the program in a year. Reid topic experts facilitate the monthly four-hour seminar.

The Nurse Residency Program increases the mentorship, engagement, and support for first-year nurses by connecting them with a trained preceptor. Resident nurses will expand their skills with hands-on learning and training with the NERD department as they cover workplace topics focused on well-being, management, and professional growth.

Anna Osborn-Brown, Senior Director of Nursing, said the NERD program carefully developed the curriculum to set the first-year nurses up for success and to have long, fulfilling careers.

“Nursing is a demanding profession that calls on you physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Osborn-Brown said. “The more we can build our nurse residents’ foundation with support, tools, and skills now, the more quickly they will transition to their new role and meet their goals for professional nursing and patient care as well.”

Erika Millsaps, Manager of Clinical Education for the NERD team, said the curriculum incorporates hospital policies, simulation exercises, and evidence-based practice projects to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

“The Nurse Residency Program offers new graduate RNs the chance to apply and expand the skills they learned in nursing school,” Millsaps said. “We’re excited to welcome our first cohort and to walk alongside our resident nurses as they transition into practice and gain confidence in their new roles.”

The goals of Reid’s Nurse Residency Program are:

Wellness and Well-being: Committed to supporting the physical and mental health throughout the first year of practice. The program offers resources and support to ensure resident nurses maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Skill Enhancement: Through a structured curriculum, resident nurses have the chance to refine nursing skills and gain practical experience. Reid’s experienced mentors and educators will guide resident nurses every step of the way.

Building Confidence: Confidence is key to success in any nursing career. Reid’s program is designed to help resident nurses build confidence through hands-on learning, peer support, and continuous feedback from experienced nursing professionals.

The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program has provided healthcare organizations with a transition-to-practice program for new graduate nurses since 2002 and is recognized by the Institute of Medicine as a model program.

“Transitioning into the nursing profession is a challenge for new graduate nurses. They are asked to jump into difficult roles and expand their development quickly, leading to high turnover. We know it takes a full year to grow their confidence, competence, and engagement in the profession and the organization,” said Evy Olson, Associate Vice President of Nursing Programs at Vizient. “We are pleased that Reid Health has made the commitment to support their nurses in their transition into practice and their professional development through a Nurse Residency Program.”

For more information on Reid Health’s Nurse Residency Program, call (765) 983-3000 ext. 4548. Information on nursing careers and Reid Health is available at reidhealth.org.