1. A TRANSITION TO PRACTICE PROGRAM
RURAL NURSE RESIDENCY
A TRANSITION TO PRACTICE PROGRAM

2. Service Area Idaho State University award HRSA GRANT
Initial Collaborative States (2009) Alaska, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
Expanded to:
Western/Central US in Year 2 (2010)
Awarded 3-year Extension ( )
Application Process 3 Times Each Year

3. WHY NURSE RESIDENCY? Bridging the Gap to Practice:
IOM Initiative on the Future of Nursing (IFN) study with 4
Key Messages and 8 Recommendations
Recommendation 3 clearly states “Implement nurse residency programs”
Need for higher-level awareness of quality, safety,
professional role
National studies and reports on residency programs
1) Versant study – Nursing Economics November/December 2010
2) UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program – AACN June 2010
3) NCSBN

4. Need Nurse Shortage Nurse Confidence Nurse Turnover
Up to 65% during the first year
Competency Regulations
QSEN Standards (Quality & Safety Education for Nurses)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Federal & State regulatory agencies want “readiness-for-practice” of new nurses to be strengthened
My research shows novices are expected to perform the same as experts. Frightening

5. Program Goals Improve Patient Care Increase
Nurse Skills
Nurse Confidence
Retention
Implementation of Hospital-Based Residency Program

6. Outcomes Improvement in our Needs Assessment Preceptors Receive
Certificate of “Rural Nurse Preceptor”
16 CNE Contact Hours (Workshop)
Provide Mentored Experience to Resident
Residents Receive
Rural Nurse Certification
Contact Hours (CNEs)
Mentored Hours by Preceptor
Hospital incorporates a residency program

7. Research HRSA Grant – Research Conducted on 3 Topics Program
Participatory Action Research
Provides Evidence for Change and Implementation
Rural Nurse Practice
Novice vs Expert Comparison
Nurse Retention

8. Program Components NWRNR Facilitator No Fees Preceptor Mentor
PDA Software
Continuing Nursing
Education Hours
Web-Based Conferencing
Sessions provided by experienced nurses/educators
No Fees
Preceptor Training
Social Support for Rural Hospitals and Staff
Competency Measurement Tools
Simulations
Library Access

9. One Year Collaboration
Facility Provides
Clinical Learning
Preceptor
Supervision
Employment
Time for Participation
Computer/Internet Connection
Support
NWRNR Provides
Education Content/Tools
Mentors and Coordinators
Webinars/Simulation
CNE’s
Standardized Process and Quality
One-year subscription to Nursing Software

10. Program Overview
First Thursday of the Month: Live 3 hr video webinars for 12 month = 36 hours of continuing education.
Second Thursday: Precepted experience demonstrating competency clinical skills and core competencies identified on Learning Plan.
Third Thursday: Self-study of one elective (12 hours yearly total).
Fourth Thursday: Competence Validation via Simulation 1.5 live hours/1.5 local measurement hours = 15 hours of continuing education.

11. PRECEPTOR RN with at least 2 years experience in current hospital.
Participate in 16 hrs of orientation/training.
Provide supervised clinical hours to resident incorporating best practices.
Collaborate with Resident on development of Learning Plan to focus clinical learning.
Complete competency measurements on resident (Critical Thinking, Clinical Practice, Relationship Centered Practice, Professionalism, Leadership).

12. RESIDENT
New RN graduate, RN transitioning from urban setting, or RN re-entering profession.
Participate in preceptor supervised clinical hours.
Participate in live web-based sessions and simulations.
Collaborate with Preceptor to develop Learning Plan to focus clinical learning.
Obtain free continuing education credits from a choice of electives.
Interact with other residents throughout the U.S. to increase rural health learning.

13. RESIDENT COURSES Acute Care - Crisis Assessment and Management
Nursing Subspecialties (live sessions and clinical focus):
Medical Surgical
Pharmaceutical
Pediatric
Geriatric
Psychiatric
Emergency Trauma
Critical Thinking
Obstetrics

14. SIMULATIONS Patient Centered Care Teamwork and Collaboration
QSEN STANDARDS. See for more information.
Patient Centered Care
Teamwork and Collaboration
Evidence Based Practice
Quality Improvement
Safety
Case Management
Informatics
Career Management

15. Summary Website http://isu.edu/nursing/opd/nwrnr.shtml
Contact Information
Heidi Blossom RN MSN Transition to Practice Coordinator at