A total of 15 registered nurses from the Fall 2023 cohort completed the enhanced Nurse Residency Program, and were recently recognized at a celebration.

One of the highlights of the residency program is the presentation of evidence-based projects. Nurse residents are asked to select a topic they are passionate about that links evidence-based care to practice outcomes. They conduct a literary search, develop a PICO question, create a background summary, report a summary statement based on analysis and outcomes based off their literary searches. “Nursing Interventions to Support Neonatal Transition”, “Trauma Activation Protocols”, and “Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care in Oncology” are just a few examples of the evidence-based project presentation topics.

“The nurse residents delivered oral presentations to nursing leadership, and these posters will be displayed over the next few weeks within their respective units,” said nurse residency program coordinator Cheryl Navarrete.

Piedmont's Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program is a formal, structured, evidence-based, 12-month program designed to foster Piedmont nurses who are competent, confident, and committed clinicians who practice evidence-based care. Through learning and clinical experiences with preceptors, ongoing support from experienced educators, mentors and leadership, the residents are integrated into a culture that prioritizes and supports their growth.

“The goal of the program is to enhance the onboarding and residency experience of our new graduate nurses beyond just skill acquisition to address the array of challenges in the transition from student nurse to competent, confident practitioner,” said Director of Clinical Practice Andrea Wilkins-Howard.

New nursing school graduates are welcomed three times a year into the organization. Currently, there are 92 nurse residents in the Columbus Transition to Practice Program.