CCH November 2019 Department Discovery: RN Residency

The Campbell County Health November 2019 Department Discovery features the RN Residency Program.

Since 2012, Campbell County Health (CCH) has offered a residency program for newly graduated registered nurses (RN). Evidence shows that graduate nurses are often overwhelmed by the healthcare environment they enter as a new nurse. The pace is hectic, and there are no easy patients “to learn on.” Surveys show that nurses are excited and feel well-prepared as they enter the workforce, but by six months they are exhausted and discouraged. At this point they often look for less-demanding positions, or consider leaving nursing altogether.

CCH believes that a structured residency program, which reinforces clinical skills and supports professional growth, enhances the competence and confidence of new nurses, and significantly reduces the loss of nurses from the bedside, or the profession in the first year.

At CCH we offer a 10-month residency program for all newly graduated nurses who enter our organization. The 10-month program runs annually, starting in August, and is administered by Lisa Coleman and Darla Parks, RN, from Professional Development. It features a two-day clinical boot camp and monthly sessions with subject matter experts who present on topics such as self-management, emotional intelligence, conflict management, bullying, pain management, evidence-based practice, death and dying, and self-care. Further, each session includes time for group mentoring and coaching.

“An important component of the transition from nursing student to professional nurse is the RN Residency Program,” says Lisa Coleman. “This comprehensive program provides RN grads with education to increase their skills and competency so they are better able to serve our patients and become confident in their new role. They interact with seasoned RNs and other professionals in a setting that allows them opportunities to ask questions, obtain guidance, and build a professional and social network.”

Nurses who have completed CCH’s RN Residency program say that they feel better prepared to care for patients. Their directors affirm that they demonstrate a higher level of clinical competence, and are socialized into the professional role more quickly.

There are currently 19 registered nurses in the program from across the organization including Behavioral Health Services, Campbell County Medical Group clinics, Campbell County Memorial Hospital (Intensive Care Unit, Maternal Child, Medical/Surgical, Oncology, and Surgery), and The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center.

The new grads enrolled in the program at CCH include: Devyn Brinkerhoff, Alexis Gigstad (not pictured), Elisa Gonzalez, Shelby Harris, Chelsey Hendershot, Emilee Hutchinson (not pictured), Chelsey Loyd, Owen Mathews, Kandi Newhall, Samantha Oswald, Krista Schwindt, Melissa Shaffer, Anisa Stepanski, Robin Tamez, Stephanie Teppo, Janell Ulher (not pictured), Shyanne Wigger, Kendra Wise, and Abigail Youngs.

A big round of applause to the RN Residency Program, and to the new nurses at CCH who are enrolled! For more information about the RN Residency program, please contact CCH Professional Development at 307-688-6040 or Education@cchwyo.org.

Campbell County Health is looking for positive, energetic nurses to join our outstanding healthcare team in Campbell County, Wyoming. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, sign-on bonuses and relocation assistance for some positions. Learn more about a nursing career at CCH at www.cchwyo.org/rn.