Baptist Hospital One of Only 47 in U.S. to Earn Accreditation for Nursing Program

9/13/2018

Baptist Hospital is one of only 47 health care organizations in the United States, and the only within a 500 mile radius, to receive accreditation for its Nurse Residency Program (NRP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This prestigious accreditation sets the global standard for residencies and fellowship programs that transition registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses into new practice settings. 

In meeting the well-defined requirements and evidence-based criteria, the NRP demonstrates excellence in transitioning nurses to new practice settings. This two-year-old program employs a curriculum that follows the Vizient ® structure that focuses on leadership, patient safety outcomes, professional development and evidence based practice. The NRP helps bridge the gap between preparation and practice through a series of learning experiences including a series of monthly classroom seminars that allow new nurses to network with their peers, enhance their professional practice and improve their critical thinking skills and situational awareness.

The residency has led to decreased turnover, increased nursing engagement and evidence based changes driven by the residents that directly benefit the patients. “The investment that the NRP makes in a new nurse is outstanding. A new nurse sometimes lacks confidence and is often times overwhelmed with the enormity of the physical and emotional demands of the career. The NRP provides the opportunity for those new nurses to interact with others who share similar feelings. The training gives new nurses a different perspective and an understanding of how things within the hospital work,” said Elizabeth Beaty, R.N., a graduate of the program.

Any R.N. with less than one year of nursing experience hired into a position at Baptist Health Care must participate. Approximately 200 nurses have successfully graduated from the program or are currently participating in a residency.