University of Vermont Medical Center Creates Nurse Residency Program

The University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center has created a residency program to help new nursing graduates successfully transition to the workplace. The program is designed to help ease the transition from classroom to bedside and research shows that this kind of program promotes quality and safe care, and reduces turnover rates for first-year nurses.

The one-year experience is open to all graduating nurses hired by UVM Medical Center with licensing from an accredited school. The first class of new graduates consists of 23 nurses and the program will eventually graduate 75-90 nurses each year.

UVM’s Nurse Residency program is based on the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program. 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.

Kate Fitzpatrick, Doctor of Nursing Practice and chief nursing officer, tells VTDigger.org, “Bringing the Vizient Nurse Residency to UVM Medical Center is an important part of our strategic plan for nursing. This program assures we’ll provide a welcoming, evidence-based experience for those transitioning to the profession. We know that when nurse leaders and educators engage with and support new graduates, it increases satisfaction and retention.”

UVM’s nurse residency curriculum includes lessons on leadership, critical decision-making, quality outcomes, and incorporating research-based standards into daily care. All class members are required to complete an evidence-based practice project during their residency year.

Sharing their experiences with other new nurses working in other units and specialties creates a sense of camaraderie between nurses in the program, setting them up for success as new nurses transitioning to the bedside for the first time. To learn more about UVM Medical Center’s nurse residency program, visit here.