LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – CHI St. Vincent today announced the implementation of a Nurse Residency program based on the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™. The program is designed to ease the transition of newly graduated nurses from the classroom setting to the clinical practice environment to promote quality and safety as well as reduce turnover rates for first-year nurses.

The program will be open to all graduating nurses hired by CHI St. Vincent with licensing from an accredited school. The program takes one year to complete.

“With over 600 transitioned RN Residents from 27 states and 5 foreign countries, our program offers a supportive pathway into nursing practice for the new graduate nurse,” said Nisa Trenthem, RN Residency Program manager. “Since 2009, we have been committed to the success of our new nurses in that critical first year following graduation.”

The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ has provided healthcare organizations with a transition-to-practice program for new graduate nurses since 2002 and is recognized by the Institute of Medicine as a model program.

“Unlike the training for physicians, residency programs are not a normal part of the nursing education curriculum. The abrupt transition from the classroom to an acute care setting is a big driver of the high turnover rate for first year nurses and is a huge expense for hospitals,” said Jayne Willingham, senior director of Vizient’s Nursing Leadership. “We are pleased that CHI St. Vincent has made the commitment to support their nurses in their professional development through a nurse residency program.”

For more information on CHI St. Vincent’s nurse residency program, visit chistvincent.com/RNResidency.