Are you ready for your first year as a nurse? With the current changes in the health care industry, nurses are strategically positioned to emerge as the practice professionals for the future of healthcare. In order to be successful, new nurses need support, guidance, and continuing education during their first year to make a positive transition into the dynamically evolving world of nursing.
The Kootenai Health Nurse Residency Program
No matter where you decide to begin your nursing career, the Kootenai Health Nurse Residency Program is designed to enhance your transition into professional practice. Each month, new nurses come together to give mutual support, practice emerging nursing skills, and embed professional nursing practice.
The program features: ·
- Professional development in areas of new graduate transition.
- Industry best practices on current nursing issues (patient safety, pain management, etc.)
- Simulations and skills workshops
Program Overview
The Nurse Residency Program is a series of five, eight-hour workshops designed specifically for the new graduate nurse. Sessions are held once each month, and the entire series is completed twice a year. Workshop topics include:
- Taking report and getting organized
- Medication safety
- Prioritizing nursing care (simulation)
- Self-care and burnout
- Cardiac care basics
- Infection prevention
- Reality shock
- Patient safety
- Care of the septic patient (simulation)
- Critical thinking
- Pain management
- Professional development
- The rapidly changing patient (code blue simulation)
- End of life care
Additional benefits for residents include:
- Dedicated workshop time to network with other recent graduates.
- Unrestricted access to the Kootenai Health library and staff for education assistance, research aid, and resource management.
- Participation in a nurse residency program that is evidence-based and practice-focused.
- A professional nursing culture and education environment consistent with the ANCC Magnet designation– the national standard for nursing in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to work for Kootenai Health to participate in the Nurse Residency program?
A: No. All new graduates with less than one year experience can benefit from the program regardless of employment status, or which organization you work for.
Q: I don’t have my bachelor’s degree. Can I participate in the program?
A: Yes. Many features of the program are designed specifically for Associates-degree prepared nurses.
Q: How much does the Kootenai Health Nurse Residency Program cost?
A: Kootenai employees are automatically enrolled in the program upon hire. Nurses at other organizations may register for only $100 per session, or $450 for all five sessions.
