When I think back to my early years in nurse residency program development and implementation, I must admit that I didn’t have an accurate understanding of the entire scope of what is considered a nurse residency program. I was focused on the curriculum and what was offered in the classroom and paid little attention to everything else, and I know I am not alone. I talk to nurse leaders and nurse educators every month, who put a lot of focus and attention on the curriculum we offer and spend a lot less time and energy focusing on all the other ways new graduate nurses are engaged and supported by the organization. We have been talking a lot this year about going beyond nurse residency, and our point is to bring attention to this very thing. It goes beyond what most people consider ‘nurse residency’ which for many is the curriculum and the classroom time spent with these new graduate nurses (NGNs). Nurse residency encompasses everything NGNs experience as they enter your organization throughout the first year. It is the core curriculum that focuses on the professional development needed to use all that knowledge from school in practice, AND it is any specialty curriculum for those new nurses starting in highly specialized areas such as surgery, intensive care units, or the emergency department, but it doesn’t stop there. It also includes the preceptor experience, socialization at the unit and organizational level, and so much more. As Dr. Sheri Cosme shared in this month’s Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, ‘nurse residency doesn’t happen in a silo.’ It is not just what happens in the classroom once a month, it goes far beyond that.
So how do you know if your program checks all the boxes? Whether you aspire to accredit your nurse residency program now or in the future, paying attention to accreditation standards and using those to build a new program or revise an existing program helps you to ensure you have a high-quality program that integrates evidence-based interventions that make a difference for your new graduate nurses. It also ensures that you focus on the entirety of the new graduate nurse experience and not just what happens within the confines of that dedicated classroom time with your NGN.
For those of you new to the world of nurse residency or the idea of accreditation, there are a few different organizations that accredit programs. Regardless of the accrediting body, these nationally recognized standards have been developed to ensure the quality of your nurse residency program. So, who are these organizations? And where can you find their standards?
- American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) – is a globally recognized accreditation program that sets the standard for residency or fellowship programs that help registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) transition into new practice settings. PTAP accreditation is designed to validate the transition to practice programs against a set of national standards. It ensures that nurse residency and fellowship programs meet or exceed standards for quality content, faculty experience, evidence-based practices, program satisfaction, and improved outcomes. Learn more here.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) – Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Program Accreditation involves examining and evaluating program implementation, dedication and resources of the institution, program curriculum, and the measurement and attainment of the program’s objectives. Learn more here.
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) – Transition-to-Practice (TTP) Program Accreditation promotes excellence in nursing and patient outcomes through established policies, procedures, and transparent processes guided by peers and contemporary practice and intentionally focused on outcomes. Programs can utilize ACEN resources to align with these standards and initiate the accreditation process. Learn more here.
If you are a nurse leader or nurse educator involved in nurse residency program development and implementation, it's essential to understand that a comprehensive nurse residency program goes beyond the curriculum and classroom content. Accreditation from organizations such as the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) can help ensure that your program meets or exceeds national standards, focusing on all the things that impact that new graduates transition into practice experience. Act now by learning more about these accreditation programs to enhance the new graduate nurse experience and improve patient care quality at your organization.
Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program Director
Wanting a Program Overview? Need to schedule a meeting? Book time with Nicole
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