Piedmont Columbus Regional kicked off its next nurse residency cohort Wednesday morning by welcoming 55 new nursing school graduates into its nurse residency program.
 
The new nurses, who are beginning their career at Piedmont Columbus Regional, were welcomed with a breakfast and got to meet and hear from Chief Nursing Officer Cary Burcham. Nurse residents also got the opportunity to meet program facilitators and spend time getting to know their unit managers.
 
Led by a team of experienced clinical education coordinators, the program supports new graduates as they transition from being students to competent clinical professionals in the Piedmont Columbus Regional healthcare system. With a focus on patient safety and quality outcomes, all nurse residents also will conduct an evidence-based practice project to present at the end of their residency year.
 
“Our program is designed to provide each nurse with the tools necessary to deliver safe, effective and high-quality patient care,” said Meg Sturdevant, Director of Professional Development at Piedmont Columbus Regional. “Our implementation of the year-long Vizient/American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) Nurse Residency Program has shown immense success for our healthcare system.”