Kane County Hospital
"As a rural facility, having access to a robust, evidence-based, year-long online residency like IONRP is a game-changer. It allows us to retain talented local nurses who might otherwise leave for larger institutions offering residency programs. I had considered developing our own residency program, but the time and financial investment would have been immense. IONRP offers exceptional value—not just financially, but in the human capital it nurtures. Our new nurses emerge feeling supported, confident, and well-prepared to meet the challenges of their profession."
— Dr. Julia Sbragia, DNP, CNS, RN
Chief Nursing Officer, Kane County Hospital
Franciscan Health
Franciscan Health, a leading healthcare system serving communities across Indiana and Illinois, is proud to partner with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) to empower and support new graduate nurses during their critical first year of practice. Through a comprehensive 12-month residency program, nurse residents engage in a dynamic blend of online learning modules, interactive guest speaker sessions, group discussions, hands-on skill-building, and personalized mentorship.
Utilizing IONRP’s blended option, residents benefit from self-paced online content complemented by in-person discussion groups led by dedicated residency coordinators within each facility. These coordinators provide ongoing guidance and support, helping residents navigate their professional journey and complete a capstone experience focused on meaningful change.
Each nurse resident selects a change project aimed at improving patient care, enhancing nurse education, or positively impacting their unit. This culminating experience not only fosters growth but also drives innovation and excellence in nursing practice.
Together, Franciscan Health and IONRP are shaping confident, compassionate, and skilled nurses—ready to make a difference from day one.
In the News
Franciscan Health Western Indiana Completes October 2023 Residency Cohort
“Supporting our residents is a top priority for me. I am so appreciative of this program and the value it brings to our new grads. Thank you, IONRP!”
— Meridith Wulf
Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast
In this special episode, host Nicole Weathers highlights healthcare organizations that are making a meaningful impact in the lives of new graduate nurses. Meridith Wulf, MSN, RNC-NIC, NE-BC, Director, Women’s & Children’s Services & Nursing Development, Ridgeview Medical Center, joins the conversation to share how Ridgeview supports nurse development through its partnership with the IONRP.
Ridgeview Medical Center
Ridgeview Medical Center (Waconia, MN) proudly partners with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) to support newly graduated registered nurses as they transition into professional practice. Through Ridgeview’s comprehensive 12-month Nurse Residency Program, new RNs gain the autonomy, competency, and confidence needed to thrive in their careers.
In collaboration with the IONRP, Ridgeview offers a dynamic blend of self-paced online modules and live monthly discussions. This structure helps nurses bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-time bedside care, enhancing clinical judgment and decision-making skills. Enrollment is automatic for newly hired RN graduates, ensuring a seamless start to their journey.
Ridgeview’s dedicated site coordinators work closely with IONRP facilitators to provide personalized guidance and support. This partnership empowers new nurses to connect with peers nationwide, fostering a strong professional network and a foundation for lifelong learning.
ChildServe
ChildServe, a pediatric specialty organization based in Johnston, Iowa, is a proud participant in the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP). By choosing the online option, ChildServe provides its newly graduated nurses with a comprehensive, 12-month residency experience that blends self-paced learning with monthly live webinars. This flexible format allows nurses to connect with peers nationwide while receiving tailored support from both a ChildServe site coordinator and an IONRP residency facilitator.
In their spotlight video, ChildServe highlights the value of this partnership in easing the transition from student to professional nurse. The program fosters confidence, clinical competence, and a sense of community—key ingredients for success in pediatric care.
"Being a part of the IONRP and a site coordinator at ChildServe is honestly one of my favorite parts of what I do. It's so special to watch nurses grow into their role and into themselves over the course of the program. Being able to connect with new nurses and support them is truly wonderful."
— Kyra Macarthy, MSN, RN, CPN, Clinical Education Specialist, ChildServe
Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast
In this special episode, resident Katrina Hess shared how the program helped her transition from nursing school to professional practice, emphasizing the value of emotional support, skill-building, and the normalization of early-career uncertainty. Rachel Stackhouse echoed this, highlighting the “Grow or Go” phase—an industry-recognized turning point in the first year of Hospice nursing—and the importance of guiding nurses through it with empathy and resilience.
In the News
TRU Community Care
TRU Community Care, located in Lafayette, CO, is a standout partner in the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP), offering a unique and deeply impactful experience for new graduate nurses entering the specialized field of Hospice care.
Founded on a mission of compassionate end-of-life care, TRU Community Care provides Hospice, Palliative, and PACE services across a broad region. In 2020, TRU made a pivotal shift by beginning to hire new graduate nurses—an uncommon practice in Hospice settings—through its partnership with IONRP. Since then, the organization has built a robust residency program tailored to the emotional and clinical complexities of Hospice nursing.
Led by Rachel Stackhouse, Clinical Education Supervisor and site coordinator since the program’s launch in 2022, TRU’s residency model blends the IONRP curriculum with specialty-specific training. Residents engage in the ELNEC (End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium) and NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) programs, gaining critical knowledge in pain management, elder care, and the psychosocial aspects of end-of-life support.
The residency spans a full year, beginning with two four-month rotations—one in home and facility-based care, and one in TRU’s inpatient unit (IPU), which functions as the intensive care unit of Hospice. These rotations allow residents to build clinical confidence in symptom management, family dynamics, and crisis care. As residents progress, they gradually take on independent caseloads, supported by monthly meetings, peer connection, and mentorship from experienced clinicians.
TRU’s commitment to new graduate development not only strengthens its own workforce but also contributes meaningfully to the nursing profession. Through evidence-based projects, personalized mentorship, and a culture of support, TRU Community Care exemplifies how nurse residency programs can be adapted to meet the needs of highly specialized care environments.
Delta Health
Delta Health is deeply committed to supporting new graduate nurses as they transition into professional practice through its comprehensive 12-month Nurse Residency Program (NRP). Launched in 2022, the program is designed as a residency apprenticeship, offered in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence (CCNE), and the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP).
This transition-to-practice program combines self-paced online modules and monthly live webinars facilitated by the IONRP. This flexible model is ideal for facilities that prefer not to build their own infrastructure, yet still want to offer a high-quality, evidence-based residency experience.
New graduate nurses are automatically enrolled in the program upon hire. Each nurse resident is supported by a dual team: an IONRP program coordinator and a site coordinator from Delta Health. At Delta Health the NRP Site Coordinator is Shauna Meilner, MSN-Ed, RN, CCRN, CNE, who plays a vital role in mentoring and guiding residents throughout their first year.
The program is designed to help new nurses:
- Care for patients with increasing levels of acuity and complexity
- Improve patient safety and quality of care
- Bring evidence-based practice to the bedside
- Promote leadership development and enhance critical thinking skills
- Build upon their academic and clinical foundation in a safe and encouraging environment
The residency culminates in a Professional Experience, where residents choose from a change project, case study, or committee work. These experiences focus on identifying opportunities for improvement and sharing results with organizational leaders and peers.
Delta Health’s Nurse Residency Program reflects its ongoing dedication to nursing excellence, workforce development, and patient-centered care.
In the News
Delta Health Prepares for Skills Days with Comprehensive Nurse Residency Showcase
Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast
In this special Nurses Month episode, host Nicole Weathers features standout residency coordinators who are making a difference in supporting new graduate nurses. Shauna Meilner, Delta Health’s NRP Site Coordinator, joins the conversation to share how her team customizes the residency experience, supports new nurses, and fosters a culture of recognition and growth.
Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast
In this special episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, IONRP highlights healthcare organizations excelling in nursing professional development. Featured guests Denitra Hendershot and Ashley Metts, Nurse Residency Program leaders at Memorial Health System, share how their program has significantly improved nurse retention and empowered residents to lead meaningful changes in policy and practice.
In the News
From Learning to Leading: Nurse Residents’ Impactful Projects at Memorial Health System
Memorial Health System
Memorial Health System in Marietta, OH, is a proud participant in the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) — a comprehensive initiative designed to support new graduate nurses as they transition into professional practice. Through this partnership, Memorial provides a strong foundation for early-career nurses to build confidence, develop clinical judgment, and become fully integrated members of the healthcare team.
IONRP’s blended-learning model combines interactive online education with hands-on support at Memorial Health System, including:
• Customized orientation
• Peer cohort discussions and mentorship
• Simulation-based training to enhance critical thinking
• Reflective practice and coaching
This approach bridges the gap between academic preparation and real-world practice, fostering growth and resilience in new nurses.
Program Highlights:
• 12 months of ongoing professional development
• Multidisciplinary simulations
• Supportive peer and mentor network
• Leadership and evidence-based practice opportunities
As part of their residency experience, Memorial’s nurse residents present their professional insights and evidence-based projects to clinical nurse managers, directors, senior directors, and professional development staff. These presentations have led to exciting organizational improvements, including enhancements to training processes and infection control practices. Their contributions reflect a deep commitment to innovation and nursing excellence.