A nurse residency program is a program that combines classroom instruction specific to a nursing specialty with clinical experience under the supervision and guidance of preceptors, coaches, and the program director. The program seeks to improve patient outcomes, job satisfaction, and communication, and can reduce nurse turnover, error, and self-reported stress. Nurse residency programs can benefit nurses who recently graduated nursing school or who are new to their chosen nursing specialty. They can also benefit nurses considering leadership or advanced practice roles, as residencies offer mentorship and a focus on professional development.
Here are some key points about nurse residency programs:
- A nurse residency program typically lasts for six months to one year.
- During the program, nurses work closely with a mentor and gain specialty clinical training.
- The program incorporates classes focused on leadership, patient care, and professional development.
- Nurse residency programs pay nurses and prepare them for specialized roles.
- Many of these programs are highly competitive and only admit a small number of residents each year.
- Nurse residency programs differ from nursing fellowships, which are designed for experienced nurses seeking to transition to a new specialty.
- Examples of units that offer nurse residency programs include the emergency department, operating room, and critical care unit.
- The Mayo Clinic Health System and Vizient/AACN are examples of organizations that offer nurse residency programs.
- The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program focuses on new entry-level nurses as they transition into practice.
- The program reviews common first-year experiences, including wellness, working with nursing students, ethics, and communication, among other topics.
Overall, nurse residency programs provide a structured transition from nursing school to clinical practice, offering new nurses the opportunity to gain specialized training and mentorship while improving patient outcomes and reducing nurse turnover.
