Lafayette, CO – As TRU Community Care approaches its 50th year providing compassionate care for community members living with advanced illness and loss, organizational leaders are looking forward, rather than back, ensuring another 50 years of service. TRU and San Diego-based St. Paul’s Senior Services are exploring an affiliation to expand their continuum of care programs, including hospice, palliative care, PACE, memory care, and grief support.
Founded as Boulder Hospice in 1976, TRU has grown from serving 15 patients to over 1,200 individuals daily. St. Paul’s Senior Services, established in 1960, offers a range of senior care services, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and PACE.
In line with this forward-thinking approach, TRU Community Care has a strategic partnership with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) to bolster its New Graduate Nurse Resident Program. This collaboration aims to provide recent nurse graduates with comprehensive training, clinical experience, and mentorship, focusing on hospice, palliative care, telemedicine, home health, and inpatient care.
TRU’s year-long residency program is structured into three trimesters. During the first two trimesters, residents work alongside experienced nurses, spending four months at TRU’s inpatient unit, followed by four months in the field, including in-home and facility settings. At the inpatient unit, residents hone their skills in managing symptom crises such as pain, agitation, and wound care challenges. They also gain in-depth knowledge of hospice medications and learn to navigate stressful situations effectively to support patients and their families.
In the field, residents refine their assessment skills, time management, and family care-planning conversations. They also learn the importance of seeking help and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. This phase helps residents identify their growth areas, catch near-misses, and understand the boundaries of their practice scope.
The final four months of the residency are dedicated to independent practice, where residents build confidence and competency while still having access to support resources. Throughout the 12-month program, residents are enrolled in the IONRP, joining a cohort of new graduates nationwide. The educational curriculum covers essential topics such as quality, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, leadership, and work-life balance. This cohort-based approach allows residents to share their struggles and successes, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Additionally, TRU utilizes the IONRP’s Preceptor training program, "Supporting Nurses: Training for Preceptors, Mentors, and Clinical Coaches." This program equips preceptors, mentors, and clinical coaches with the skills needed to support nurse learners' growth and development effectively. Delivered asynchronously, the program includes microlearning modules, videos, text, and discussion boards, making it accessible to healthcare facilities and individuals.
TRU Community Care’s culture of collaboration and relationship-building is evident in its commitment to nurturing new nurses. Despite the challenges of workforce turnover and field stressors, TRU is dedicated to helping each nurse find their footing and establish a solid foundation for their career. This initiative not only benefits TRU but also strengthens the broader nursing community.
IONRP Manager Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Interested employers should contact nicole-weathers@uiowa.edu for more information or schedule a time to visit 1:1 to learn more.