This fall, 16 nursing graduates are building their skills in a new nurse residency program at Overlake Hospital Medical Center designed to provide the most innovative and comprehensive RN residency program available in the region.
Overlake has partnered with Versant, a non-profit corporation that aims to raise the standard of nursing care, to offer a program designed by nurses and based on best practices and evidence-based education and training. The 18- to 22-week paid residency program offers a learning experience to prepare nurses for their role in an acute-care setting.
“Overlake has had a nurse residency program in place since 1997, and this new program will enhance the experience to make it even more beneficial to new nurses,” said Cathy Whitaker, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Overlake. “We want to establish a training program that helps nurses become both competent and confident professionals and we are proud to have selected it for our new graduate RNs.”
The new graduates will join the more than 800 nurses currently working at Overlake. The hospital plans to add more than 50 new graduate nurses in the next year.
National surveys indicate that approximately 35 to 60 percent of nursing graduates leave their jobs within the first year. With the new program in place, Overlake hopes to significantly reduce new graduate turnover.
“Nursing is a challenging — and thoroughly rewarding — career choice,” said Whitaker. “Demands and expectations are extremely high and the first year can be a tough transition for many nurses. We are confident this comprehensive program will help smooth the road ahead and fully prepare new nurses for a long and successful career at Overlake.”
Overlake’s nurse residency program will offer RNs tremendous support, including:
One-to-One support to teach technical skills, share clinical knowledge and help residents develop clinical decision-making skills. RN residents receive more than 650 hours of one-to-one time with a more experienced nurse. Classroom and Skills Lab Education includes more than 180 hours of additional education on current and emergency clinical guidelines and standards. Classes are taught by highly qualified nurses and other healthcare specialists. Caring and Committed Mentors to help nurses enhance their critical thinking and communication skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and encourage self-evaluation, independent thinking, emotional maturity and conflict resolution. Self-Care/Support Groups led by expert facilitators to offer a safe, confidential environment to help nurses develop the practical tools needed to deal with the stresses of being a new nursing professional. Individualized Rotation and Orientation familiarizes nurses with the related patient care units within the hospital.
Funding for the new nurse residency program was provided by donations received at Overlake’s 2009 Bandage Ball organized by the Overlake Auxiliaries.
More information is available
