Class Act: Preparing New Nursing Graduates for Success

Helping support newly graduated nurses as they transition from an educational setting to a fast-paced hospital environment is the mission of Covenant Health’s nurse residency program.  

In 2016, Covenant created a Nurse Residency Program, designed to empower new nurses with increased competence, more confident decision making, stronger leadership and critical-thinking skills, and greater satisfaction. Hospitals that have implemented similar programs have also seen reductions in nursing turnover, and a positive impact on patient safety and quality of care.

Covenant Health’s nurse residency program is a 12-month structured curriculum that uses classroom learning seminars, case studies, small-group discussion, precepted clinical practice, and evidence based practice projects and presentations.

“Our program enhances competency in three core areas: leadership, patient outcomes and professional roles,” said Sara Meadows, MA, RN, coordinator of the program. “Our expert nurse facilitators will place special emphasis on competence and confidence in decision making, leadership and critical thinking skills, relationship building, and quality of care.”

Last week, Methodist Medical Center’s latest class of nursing residency graduates included Hannah Johnson (4-West, Oncology), Whitney Lambdin (2-West, Medical-Surgical), Sara Meadows, Nick Tubbs (ICU), Kendra Smith (2-East, Family Birthing Center), and Fallon Tait (Emergency Department).

For more information about the program, contact Sara Meadows at [email protected], call 865-531-5720 or visit the Covenant Health Nurse Residency Program page.