Each year in September, nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners from across the globe take a week to celebrate Nursing Professional Development Week (#NPDWeek). This allows us to shine a light on NPD practitioners' profound impact on our profession. These dedicated individuals play a crucial role in shaping all nurses' careers and contributing to the overall quality of patient care. As we celebrate Nursing Professional Development Week, we are thrilled to highlight the incredible work of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) and the dedicated residency coordinators who make it all possible.
At the core of the IONRP are our residency coordinators, whose passion and dedication drive the success of our program. These coordinators are not just facilitators of the program in their unique healthcare organization; they are leaders, educators, and advocates for the professional growth of new graduate nurses. Their role is multifaceted, involving everything from facilitating program engagement and one-on-one mentoring to teaching clinical skills and advocating for healthy work environments. They ensure that each nurse resident receives the support and guidance they need to thrive.
Our residency coordinators have countless stories of success, where their programs and guidance have significantly impacted the careers of new graduate nurse residents. From helping a new nurse navigate their first challenging patient case to providing emotional support during tough times, our coordinators are there every step of the way. These stories are a testament to the power of mentorship and the positive influence of professional development. In this month's podcast, you will hear from three coordinators who share the significant impact new graduates have had on patient outcomes due to engagement in the program's professional experience component. These experiences underscore the vital role played by the coordinators in shaping the success of new graduate nurse residents and their ability to influence patient outcomes through professional development activities.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Nursing Professional Development Week. Please take a moment to thank a nurse, acknowledge the hard work of our residency coordinators, and reflect on the importance of professional development in nursing. Together, we can continue elevating the nursing profession and ensuring that all new nurses, regardless of where they are starting their practice, are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
ANPD's NPD Week toolkit: https://www.anpd.org/NPDWEEK
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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