UAB School of Nursing is taking the initiative to help newly graduated nurses transition to the fast pace hospital work environment. Newly graduated nursing students are often overwhelmed by the pace and demands of a hospital work environment and can get discouraged. The Nurse Residency Program is designed specifically to help and guide these new nurses as they leave the educational setting and are faced with the complexities of a hospital setting.
The School of Nursing and UAB Hospital are one of only 37 sites in the United States offering the one-year residency program to all newly graduated BSN hires. The program is designed to include a standardized curriculum and mentorship with experienced faculty and practice setting nurses.
This program is also a part of national study to examine issues related to new BSN nurse transition, retention, and mentoring needs in the first year of employment. National data indicates that turnover rates in sites implementing the residency are as low as 11% as compared to 50% turnover rate. Residency programs, with its emphasis on practice setting with preceptor and mentoring support, demonstrate a significant reduction in work environment stress which often results in higher turnover within the first 6-12 months of employment.
The Nurse Residency Program is offered under the guidelines and support of the national program from University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is customized to meet the needs of UAB-University Hospital.
The first cohort began in May of 2006. New cohorts begin twice each year in July and February.
For more information and/or to discuss the UAB University Hospital/UASON partnership with the nurse residency program, please contact: Office of Clinical Affairs and Partnerships or Pam Patterson, UAB University Hospital:
Pam Patterson, MSN, RN
Coordinator, Nurse Residency and Nurse Internship Program
Telephone: 205-996-2146
E-mail: pmpatter@uabmc.edu