(Bryn Mawr, PA, July 2008) — To help new nurses transition from students to practicing professionals, Main Line Health (MLH), in partnership with Villanova University, recently implemented the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Nurse Residency Program™.

"Today's nursing programs have such full curriculums that it’s difficult for graduating student nurses to be fully prepared for their new roles in the hospital setting," said Rita Linus RN, MSN, Nursing Student Coordinator at MLH. "This program addresses a significant issue by making the transition from school into clinical practice easier."

The one-year UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program, which begins on the first day of nursing orientation, offers a standard curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based practice, effective decision making, best practices, and career development. Residents also have the opportunity to share their experiences through peer and clinical preceptor groups. Throughout the program, MLH will conduct evaluations and measure outcomes to compare with other participating institutions.

"Main Line Health has distinguished itself by becoming one of the first community health systems to adopt a university-based hospital curriculum for nursing education," said Nancy Valentine, RN, PhD, MPH, FAAN, FNAP, Chief Nursing Officer at MLH. "This program is the first step in alleviating the 'nurse reality shock' many new graduates experience when entering the clinical setting and will help further our efforts to attract and retain the best nurses."

More than 7,500 nurses have successfully completed the program at approximately 40 sites throughout the United States. In fact, in a recent report from UHC, nurse residents reported reduced stress, increased competence and leadership skills, and improved job satisfaction. It also showed turnover rates for participants in the UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program had decreased to 5.7 percent in 2007 from 9.7 percent in 2006, compared with turnover rates as high as 28 percent for first-year nurses overall.

"One of our obligations as professionals is to invest in the next generation who will eventually take our places," added Valentine. "Whether it's in one year or 30—it's never too soon to start the process."

For more information on the UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program, contact Rita Linus, Nurse Residency Coordinator/Nursing Student Facilitator at 610-645-2588.

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Contact
Michele Stefan
Public Relations
Main Line Health
610-574-8878
stefanm@mlhs.org