Employer: HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Job Title: New Nurse Residency Program
Additional Information: https://www.hshs.org/st-elizabeths/clinical-education/rn-residency
The RN Residency program first began in 2006 at St. Elizabeth’s as an innovative program for new graduate registered nurses. The 18-week Residency provides additional education for new RNs at our HSHS hospitals in southern Illinois (HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, HSHS Holy Family Hospital, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital - Breese, and HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital – Highland). Upon successful completion of the paid RN residency, the participant will be prepared to work as a full-time, independent, professional RN.
The Residency is a leading choice for RN graduates, nurses with less than a year of hospital experience, and nurses returning to the bedside after more than five years in another role. Upon completion of the Residency, a nurse transitions from the program to their department with the competence of an RN with one and a half years of experience. In the years of its existence, the program has contributed to a reduction in RN turnover and increased RN retention.
One-to-One Preceptors
The assigned preceptors are experienced, unit-based RNs who work one-to-one with residents to provide challenging patient care experiences. Additionally, preceptors teach technical skills, share clinical knowledge, and help residents develop clinical decision making skills. RN residents experience over 400 hours of one-to-one preceptor time.
Classroom and Skills Lab Education
RN Residents benefit from over 140 hours of classroom and skills lab education, developed and taught by highly qualified nurses and other healthcare specialists. This valuable education and training provide the knowledge and experience necessary for you to make the successful transition from new graduate nurse to a professional RN.
Caring and Committed Mentors
Mentors are experienced RN professionals who support each resident and help them navigate the complexities of nursing. Each mentor is not a preceptor or manager, but a non-evaluative, supportive RN on staff at the hospital. Residents find that having a mentor enhances their critical thinking and communication skills, helps them build confidence and self-esteem, and encourages self-evaluation, independent thinking, emotional maturity, and conflict resolution.
