Ask A Magnet Nurse

Exceptional Residency Program Means Exceptional Care For Patients

Laura Friday, DHA, MSN, BBA, RN, NEA-BC
PTAP Residency Coordinator
Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Educator, St. Joseph's/Candler

Smart Living: Students in nursing school receive rigorous training and instruction, but how do new nurses stay confident and comfortable on their first day on the job?

Laura Friday: Here at St. Joseph’s/Candler, we have established a Nursing Residency Program that takes new nurses and walks them through the process of becoming a professional nurse. The program gives them all the pieces they need to get their career started on the right foot. It’s a full year of intense clinical education and professional development.

Some hospitals will design residency programs on their own, but we follow the Practice Transition Accreditation Program created by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The ANCC is the same organization that awards Magnet status. The structure of the residency program parallels the high standards of Magnet, and we have to meet those standards. But it also encourages us to incorporate our mission and values into the program, which is so important to us. 

Smart Living: That sounds like a great opportunity for new nurses, but how does it impact actual patient care?

Laura Friday: If you find a happy nurse that loves what they do, and is confident because they have been well-trained, you can see the effect it has on patients. Nobody wants to be in the hospital, but the patients feel good about who is caring for them. And that stems from our focus on quality and following the evidence-based practice that we know is the best way to care for patients.

Our recent cohort had 75 new nurses, representing 25 different nursing schools from several states. That’s 75 nurses who understand what they need to do to succeed. It means 75 happy nurses who are ready to get to work!