A new nursing residency program designed to support nursing graduates’ transition into the job field is being offered by the Capstone College of Nursing in a partnership with DCH Regional Medical Center.

“The first year for a new nurse can be challenging,” Yvette Daidone, nurse residency coordinator at DCH, said in an emailed statement. “The transition to the reality of hospital life, acuity of our patients and rapidly changing health care environments make it difficult to adapt.”

The program began last fall and is available for nurses who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree. It is affiliated with the University Health System Consortium and American Association of College of Nursing, two nationally recognized organizations.

“The first cohort at DCH Regional Medical Center began with 27 new baccalaureate RN employees in August 2012,” Linda Patterson, Capstone College of Nursing instructor, said. “BSN nurses apply for this supportive program.”

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine released a report that focused on the high turnover rates among new nurses during their first year on the job. The report also included the recommendation to provide residency programs to combat these rates.

“This program is designed to retain newly employed nurses through structured support and activities in their first year of employment after graduation,” Patterson said. “It is offered by some hospitals to newly employed nurses, not available during education, only after licensure.”

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The program lasts for one year when the BSN nurses receive hands-on experience at DCH from over 200 experienced nurses, who were trained and recruited to help the new nurses in the program.

“Together with a mentor, the residents will meet monthly in small groups to discuss whatever struggles or triumphs they have experienced,” Daidone said. “Content experts will present on a variety of topics designed to improve leadership skills, critical thinking and patient safety.”

Ashley Polk, a junior majoring in nursing, said she thinks the residency program will help graduates adjust.

“I think it will be helpful in order to get graduates used to the hospital outside of school and become in dependent,” Polk said.

Daidone said there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that the residency programs are effective in making the transition more comfortable for nurses.

“Improved outcomes of care, patient safety, clinical productivity and patient and staff satisfaction are benefits realized by organizations that provide support during that critical first year,” Daidone said.

Working in a hospital setting is also helpful for students at The University of Alabama, Polk said.

“As a nursing student, I go to various clinical settings and care for many patients,” Polk said. “The tasks I perform depend on the patients and the reasons they’re seeking care. It is really beneficial to care for a variety of patients and experience different aspects of nursing.”

According to nursing.ua.edu, after the first three years of the residency program, hospitals experienced a drop in BSN-RN turnover rates. Turnover dropped to a mere 5.6 percent compared to the national average of 27.1 percent.

“Clinicals for nursing students are vitally important,” Polk said. “They allow us to work alongside other medical staff and observe, as well as perform, hands-on activities that educate us on how to be competent nurses.”

The residency program includes the use of the Quest Center, a simulation lab where practicing nurses can become familiar with emergency situations, cardiac and respiratory events, and pediatric care.

“In nursing at DCH, our vision for the future is to lead the nation in providing excellent patient care while fearlessly embracing the challenges of the future with pride, compassion and commitment,” Daidone said. “We begin by providing the newest members of our health care team the foundation for a successful and satisfying career in nursing.”

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